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. — 2 days ago

"Odedi"

9.6

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a gorgeous one from Napa.

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, cooked cherries, chocolates, black currants, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, cedar, spices, light alcohol, eucalyptus and peppercorn.

Full bodied, bold and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, spices, tobacco, chocolates, dark coffee, graphite and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

A delicious Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux blend from the great 2014 vintage. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Fruit forward, elegant and rich. Opulent and tasty. Shows great complexity already, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

I've had many wines from Michel Rolland, from all over the world, and I always enjoyed them. Never disappoints and always a pleasure.

Thank you Scott for sharing this beautiful wine with me.

Wine Enthusiasts 95 points. Robert Parker 96 points.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime, and good by itself as a sipping wine. No need for food at all, but will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels (80% New). Only 370 cases produced. Some of the fruit come from To Kalon and Stagecoach Vineyards.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

96 points.

$175. — 5 years ago

with Scott

Frédéric Leteurtre

9.4

très bonne découverte — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.4

Fully opaque ruby violet offering aromas of black cherry, cassis, cocoa powder, coffee, and cedar. Full bodied, soft, and fruit forward with incredible mid-palate density. The tannins are fine grained and alcohol is 14.6%. Made from a blend of 62% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot sourced from vineyards like Beckstoffer’s Orchard Lane and Dr. Crane and aged in 65% new French oak. Along with Duckhorn, this is one of my favorite California Merlots and is crafted by winemaker Benoit Touquette and consultant Michel Rolland to drink young. I favor a pop and pour approach. $95. — 8 years ago

Sondra Bernstein

Owner of the girl & the fig, the fig cafe & winebar, Author of Plats du Jours, the girl & the fig's Journey through the Seasons in Wine Country and the girl & the fig Cookbook

9.1

Rich flavors of violets, — 8 years ago

David Burke

9.0

This is a nicely balanced blend! — a month ago

Fredybeans

9.0

Exotique mais avec de la fraîcheur — 4 years ago

Eve Matthaey

10

Reminds me of Domaine du Pelican Chardonnay, but fruitier. Mellowed by day 3. Outstanding — 5 years ago

Diego Sarniguet

9.0

Yacochuya M. Rolland.
Strong, woody malbec. Expresive in the nose. Rich — 5 years ago

James Parker Huston, CWE

Sommelier Charlie Palmer

9.3

The family Estate of Michel Rolland, aka The Good Shepherd. This wine was in an amazing place with dried black plum, black berry, raspberry with secondary notes of bakers chocolate, fine herbs and toast. $85 at Auction was a steal. — 5 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.1

Great pizza wine but not showing much Bordeaux complexity, at least not yet. Very new world, this presents like a young Napa cab sans some tannin. — 7 years ago

Fredybeans

8.9

Rubisb fonce
Nez de fruit noir
Bouche ample mais fraîche finale gourmande
Pinot noir rustique mais frais et gourmand — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.1

A wonderful tasting put on by Classic Wine Storage featuring Long Shadows Winery. If you aren’t familiar with these wines, they are phenomenal WA state wines that are made by the likes of Randy Dunn, Phillipe Melka, Michel Rolland, John DuVall, and more.

Supposedly this is the number one Riesling in WA state. Dry style. Petrol on the nose. Honey, apricot, bright acidity with a slate finish. — 8 years ago

with Mark

Irina Georgieva

9.6

Amazing wine! — 5 months ago

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Very young but lots of promise. I gave this 4 hrs in the decanter before consuming. — 5 years ago

Naboth van den Broek

8.9

This was better than anticipated. Smoky, oaky, dark and brooding kind of Pomerol. Went well with a bbqed rumsteak. — 5 years ago

Paul ewing

9.4

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

James Patullo

9.0

Costco - very tasty — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Home alone, and as a result, I can return to some French faves. Regretfully, wifey tastes vomit if it’s anything other than a Napa fruit-bomb. Yes, I’m exaggerating, but you get my point...
This is on another level. 2009 was in my opinion a breakout year for this winery. With the winery renovations complete in 09, and Michel Rolland consulting on the winemaking, it’s easy to see the future state. This is a Merlot blend with double digit cab franc, and a dollop of cab sauv. I poured this pretty much at cellar temp (unusual for a typical Bdx), and it’s simply wonderful at this point.
Nose displays kirsch, nutmeg and a hint of sweet tobacco. The palate explodes with fresh black fruits, brown sugar, bold tannins, and a touch of white pepper. Judicious oak treatment allows the components and winemaking to take center-stage. A very contemporary example, which will sail on for another 15 years, minimum.
@Deborah M, your gentle nudge moved me. While I didn’t decant, I did open it 2hrs prior to tasting 🙂 — 6 years ago

with Mo

Jesse Hahn

9.1

Smooth baby smooth — 8 years ago