WTN: Clos De Los Siete 2004

Mendoza.
Dourthe Frères.

Not decanted, but opened and a few glasses poured about an hour before supper.

Very dark purple in the glass.

Earthy, slightly dirty nose.

Tangy, spicy, raspberry and black cherry fruit, charred, some sweetness, moderate weight, red licorice, quite rich and soft and mouthfilling, chocolate, coffee, a bit of green veginess, with a bit of sharpness toward the end.

Tangy finish.

Purchased at $24.95 (Canadian).

A Michel Rolland wine... Did you like it? I liked a sip of it at a tasting of Argentine wines in São Paulo last year, so ordered a bottle at a restaurant several weeks later, and found it strangely dull. Now I don't know whether to revisit...

A Michel Rolland wine... Did you like it? I liked a sip of it at a tasting of Argentine wines in São Paulo last year, so ordered a bottle at a restaurant several weeks later, and found it strangely dull. Now I don't know whether to revisit...

I did. This bottle had more of a hard edge to it than I recall previous bottles, but I did like it. Served it with a roast beef and it was nice. Rather big, oaked and showy, but good for what it is.

Clos de los Siete is a good example of something I was discussing with Robin in another thread.... this wine is released way too early for my taste. For example, the current vintage at the time of writing of this post is 2006, and judging from my last taste of this wine I would say it needs at least another 18 months in the cellar... some vintages like the 2005 will need at least 2 years in the cellar before it shows its best. Not saying these wines cannot give pleasure now.... but especially the stronger vintages will need some serious decant if you will take them young... and its also key to observe strict service temperature.