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Casa Lapostolle

Casa Lapostolle was originally a joint French and Chilean operation, and is well known to UK wine drinkers, even though it was only established as recently as 1994. The Marnier-Lapostolle family, the French half of the original partnership, are probably best known for the Grand Marnier liqueur, although they also own the Château de Sancerre in the Loire Valley, where they have a long history of viticulture. Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle and her husband, Cyril de Bournet, are the names of note. On the Chilean side of the equation, the Rabat family was represented by Don Jose Rabat Gorchs. At least it was until the Marnier family bought out the Chileans; this is now a solely French affair.

The Marnier-Lapostolle family were looking for a new venture when they chanced upon the Clos Apalta vineyard in Colchagua (which is in Rapel). This was a vineyard populated with many old vines. Even more remarkable, the vines were ungrafted, protected from the Phylloxera louse by the Andes to the east. And as these vines had all been propagated from French rootstock, imported the previous century, these were truly special vines. From that small beginning Casa Lapostolle expanded, and now there are vineyards covering an amazing 300 hectares, planted up with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenere and even Syrah. These grapes are vinified in Casa Lapostolle's brand new gravity-fed winery, spread over an impressive five floors, and built at an expense of over $3 million.

Of course, even with a winemaking background, the Marnier-Lapostolle and Rabat families are not solely responsible for the Casa Lapostolle success story. There is an oenologist involved, none other than Michel Rolland. He consults exclusively for Casa Lapostolle in Chile, being contractually prevented from consulting elsewhere in this country. And permanently on site is Michel Friou, who has worked at Château Margaux and Cape Mentelle, to name just two.

The premium cuvée here is Clos Apalta. This wine is sourced from the ancient vines which first tempted Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle and Cyril de Bournet, but new plantings which include some Petit Verdot will be included in the blend. The best value comes from the Cuvée Alexandre range, particularly the Merlot. These have crept up a little in price but remain worth the money. I am a little concerned about news that more recent vintages spend even longer in oak - up to four years - because I think very few wines have the substance to take this sort of treatment. The proof, I suppose, will be in the pudding. Below these two levels are the standard wines, labelled simply as Casa Lapostolle. For me it is the Cuvée Alexandre range that excels; the standard range I have often found lacking, as indicated by my tasting notes below. (14/7/04)

Contact details:
Address: Camino San Fernando a Pichilemu, Km 36, Cunaquito s/n, Santa Cruz
Telephone: +56 (0) 2 426 99 60
Fax: +64 (0) 2 426 99 66
Internet: www.casalapostolle.com

Casa Lapostolle - Tasting Notes

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Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) 2002: 50% barrel fermented. Very ripe, explosive fruits, and a somewhat buttery oak-ferment influenced character. Ripe, full, flavoursome honey and butter-coated white fruits on the palate, but it has freshness and balance. A good style, with less domineering oak than a few years ago. 15.5+/20 (November 2004)

Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Merlot (Rapel Valley) 2002: Includes 15% Carmenere. A very primary, youthful nose. Ripe fruit cake. Full, flavoursome, youthful, creamy, chocolatey fruit. Lovely, ripe feel. There is structure hidden beneath all this primary impact. Drink now, or watch it get better and better over the next six years. 16.5+/20 (November 2004)

Casa Lapostolle Syrah (Cachapoal Valley) 2002: A recently introduced cuvée. With experimentation in mind, half the harvest was hand-destemmed, the remainder machine-destemmed, before blending. Good, pure colour. Big, sweet, confected style on the nose. Lovely, seamless texture, but, as suggested on the nose, the palate is washed with sweet, confected fruit. Very primary; there is tannic structure in abundance, and a massive presence. There is potential here but the fruit needs to evolve. Needs five years in the cellar, but I reserve judgement as to what the final outcome will be. 16+/20 (November 2004)

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta (Colchagua Valley) 2001: A blend of 80% Merlot and Carmenere, with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pretty shy on the nose, but with some pure fruit aromas wafting up after a while. Full, pure, structured, tannic mouthfeel. Very primary. Touch creamy as well; there is plenty of substance and texture here. Impressive. Leave it another five or six years before drinking I think. 18+/20 (November 2004)

Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon (Rapel Valley) 2000: Dark, almost brooding, black fruits. Pure, elegant, with a cool, smooth integration of structure in the palate. Soft ripe tannins, and low acidity. This is surprisingly forward and approachable. Good, but I have had better vintages. Drink over the next three to five years. 15.5/20 (November 2004)

Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) 2000: A pale wine. An attractive grassy, white fruit nose, with a background mineral quality to it. Slightly pétillant on the palate. It has fresh pear drop acidity, and a fruit gum sweetness. An unusual style. 14.5/20 (November 2000)

Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon (Rapel Valley) 1999: Very closed on the nose. Some hints of French oak. On the palate, black fruit with some spice. Again, very tannic, and needs time. 16/20 (November 2000)

Casa Lapostolle Merlot (Rapel Valley) 1999: A pale red wine. Spicy red fruits and Christmas cake on the nose. The palate has a thin, light body, with high acidity and harsh tannins. Too young. 13+?/20 (November 2000)

Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon (Rapel Valley) 1999: Very green on the nose. Leafy, thin blackcurrant fruit. The palate is as expected, with a light-medium body and thin, acidic blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. Harsh tannins. Also too young. 13+?/20 (November 2000)

Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Merlot (Rapel Valley) 1998: A gorgeous, deep purple-black hue here. The nose has a plum and blackberry conserve character, with aromatic and complex notes of soy sauce and black bean, backed up by nuances of toasty oak. The palate is rich and creamy, with smoky plum and blackberry flavour, and largely resolved tannins which show a little on the finish. Fairly fresh, but very impressive. Good extract still showing. Ready now but will improve for 3-4 years still. 18/20 (July 2004)

Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Merlot (Rapel Valley) 1998: An opaque purple-black in the glass, this wine at first offers up big, toasty oak and rich fruit aromas. This closes down, leaving some mineral and pebbly complexities, with lots of tight, blackcurrant fruit and notes of rolled tobacco. Very tight also on the palate, with lots of restrained fruit, plenty of acidity and supple tannins leading into a peppery, spicy finish. Good length. A wine on the way up, but drinking very well now. 17+/20 (June 2001)

Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) 1998: Another oaked wine, but this time it is less aggressive and the aroma profile clearly suggests French rather than American oak. A big, weighty mouthfeel, with fat, buttery Chardonnay fruit and French oak flavours. A spicy, oak dominated finish. Lacks the lemony acidity of good Chardonnay. 14.5/20 (November 2000)

Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley) 1998: Another fairly pale wine. A big buttery, Chardonnay-French oak nose. Hints of spice and toffee. Fairly fresh, with very apparent toffee oak on the palate, dominating the fruit. 14/20 (November 2000)

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta (Colchagua Valley) 1997: A rich, glossy, typically Chilean red-purple hue. Slightly toffee oak on the nose, with intense blackcurrant fruit. A silky texture on the palate, with firm but unaggressive tannins, and rich black fruits through to the finish. Some peppery notes are the only complexity. Good length. Lacks complexity, but this may develop with time. 17+/20 (November 2000)

Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Merlot (Rapel Valley) 1996: Great colour, the deep red hue of mid-youth. Very muted nose at first, with time opening out to release aromas of dense, perfumed fruit. Medium bodied on entry, building sweetness and texture through the midpalate. Plenty of extract and 'stuffing' as some would say. Supple, sweet tannins. Correct acidity. Has a more elegant impression than on previous tastings. Ready now. 17/20 (October 2002)

Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Merlot (Rapel Valley) 1996: A return to another old favourite of mine. An inky red, no sediment of note. Beautiful minty, black fruit nose with some good vanillin oak. Medium-full bodied palate, with rich black fruit, nicely integrated although obvious oak, and some chewy, tarry notes. Well balanced, with firm tannins and correct acidity, although both are unobtrusive. Good length as well. 17+/20 (June 2000)