Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Clos de los Siete by Michel Roland, Malbec Blend 2021, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷

Overview
A Bordeaux-inspired blend led by 59% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 13% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot, crafted under the vision of Michel Rolland. Compared to the 2019 vintage, the higher proportion of Malbec gives the 2021 greater concentration, depth, and a more distinctly Argentine personality while maintaining its polished French-inspired elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black plum, cassis, violet, dark chocolate, espresso, graphite, cedar, and sweet baking spices unfold in generous layers. The fruit feels darker and more concentrated, revealing additional complexity with air.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with a luscious, velvety texture and beautifully integrated tannins. The extra Malbec brings added richness and depth, while vibrant acidity keeps the wine energetic. The finish is notably longer, more textured, and impressively persistent.

Food Pairings
Argentine asado, grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised beef, mushroom risotto, aged Manchego, or hard Alpine cheeses.

Verdict
An outstanding evolution of Clos de los Siete that leans into a deeper, more expressive profile without sacrificing balance. Richer, more textured, and exceptionally harmonious, the 2021 stands out as one of the strongest recent vintages of this iconic blend.

Did You Know?
Although Clos de los Siete is inspired by Bordeaux, the increasing prominence of Malbec in recent vintages reflects the confidence of Argentina’s Uco Valley terroir, allowing the region’s signature grape to take center stage while the Bordeaux varieties provide structure and finesse.

🍷 Personal Pick
Having enjoyed both vintages, I found the 2021 even more compelling than the already excellent 2019 (also reviewed in Delectable). The additional Malbec adds a deeper core of fruit, greater texture, and a remarkably persistent finish that elevates the wine into an even more complete and satisfying expression. It has officially become my favorite Clos de los Siete vintage to date. — 3 days ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.3

Clos du Bois don’t make ‘em like this anymore. — 8 months ago

Spencer Dodd

9.0

A solid budget “Beauj”. This actually tastes like terroir and you can tell the winemaker is trying to not get too involved in the cellar unlike last nights moulin a vent. A lightness and tartness that is quite fun raspberry notes of fruit and a lot of acidity lead to a good drinking wine. Perhaps cherry notes in the middle? The finish isn’t huge but it does linger after swallowing. Actually the nose is quite pretty. Lilac notes? A flower. Highly recommended. The light tartness on the finish might a little much for some people. Maybe air will mellow it. Will buy again.
Edit: after 20 or 30 min of air the tart end integrates and the wine smoothed even more out. This probably deserves a higher rating than 9. Highly recommended — 3 years ago

Steve Medbery

9.3

Dark cherry, plum, dried spice — 6 years ago

Anke Ge

9.0

easy drink — 6 years ago

Matthew Youngs

8.9

Gotta drink some French juice whilst watching the French final, non? Hm. Cherries, blueberries, oaky vanilla, kinda sharp tannin, but it's rounding off a bit as it opens. Kinda digging the Froggy grape squeezins. Really coating my mouth and lingering. — 7 years ago

Alden Ridley

9.3

First white chateauneuf du pape I’ve had and it did not dissapoint. Another great Bar Bucce selection. Strong notes of lemon and pear, finishing taste of honey. Delicious. — 5 months ago

Doug Powers

9.5

There is some evident oak up front in this Cuvée Felix, lots of fresh, clean red-fruited Grenache which is less ripe than the 2015 CdP opened with this, some mineral and floral notes as well, very good balancing acidity which keeps the wine youthful (it really seems like a 10-year-old CdP), I’d say it will improve for 5 years and easily last 10 more years, but the long, lively finish means it’s drinking very well tonight!! Purchased at the domaine in early 2007. — 6 months ago

with Jim

Sagee Aran

9.1

A Golden Chardonnay. Oak noticed, full body with apple strudel notes. — a year ago

Leah Weissburg

9.0

First wine I chose postpartum! So fresh, with a funky nose — 5 years ago

Conrad Green

9.0

Dark. Rich. Tobacco and dense fruit. Some roasting signs. Decent balance. — 6 years ago

with Bex

MDB

8.9

Few more years of aging. — 6 years ago

Ervin Susko Redzovic

9.8

Amazing and best recommendations — 7 years ago

Lorenzo Marzilli

9.3

White Rhone. Nose: pear, lemon. Taste: lemon, honey. Very interesting white and I wasn’t aware there were white chateauneuf-du-pape. — 5 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Gnarly dark fruit with dried herb undertow, leather, black pepper, a bit of tar and savory fruit. Old school. Drinking well — 6 months ago

with Paul and Ara

Tom Kobylarz

9.1

Oaky, not seamless and integrated but also not over the top. There is good wine underneath the sheen of oak. If your thing you'll like it... — 8 months ago

Ed Tostanoski

9.2

Dark berries and herbs. Outperforming expectations, though a bit hot on the finish — 3 years ago

Paul ewing

9.4

Had on Easter Pete Carol Tom’s wine — 5 years ago

Andrew Edson

9.3

Fruit forward and flavors of Cab but smooth like a merlot. Nice combo! — 6 years ago

Pooneet K

8.9

A nice Beaujolais from a vintage that I don’t usually love compared to 2014/2016. Definitely better with an hour or so in a decanter to let the tannins integrate a bit more. Dark purple in the glass - darker than expected. Nice cherry aromas. Still could resolve a bit more on the finish but with a slight chill is nice. — 7 years ago