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

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Cena granfinale troigoss — 11 days ago

Lorenzo Marzilli

9.0

Interesting palette not sure I ever tasted such an herbal wine before. Nose: cherry, orange? Taste: cherry, rhubarb, unidentified herb? Definitely a new try but very interesting and I did enjoy.  — 3 months ago

Sean Burke

9.1

Great, unusual and not fruity — 4 months ago

Greg Koslosky

9.3

Ex cellar bottle made by Michel Gaunoux. He was a work class wine maker! — 2 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Great bottle of Perrieres. Ripe, classic style. — 6 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Cena team lider @ grand cru trajo ale garza — 11 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.8

Cena lider mty @ gand cru — 11 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.6

Cena granfinale troigoss — 11 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Omakase lalo — 9 days ago

Caleb Krell

9.6

After 10 years amazing savoury and vivid red fruit. Just fantastic. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale to mid Ruby. A sooty earthy savoury red fruited note with raspberry and new leather. The palate is reserved yet with M+ intensity. Delicate yet assertive. Still very fresh for its age. Elegant with enough palate weight to make it totally enjoyable. Benjamin Leroux was the winemaker who has gone on to more accolades with his own label. Jasper Morris thought that this was the best wine made by Benjamin Leroux during his 14 year tenure at Domaine du Comte Armand. Would go on for several more years if you were lucky enough to be holding some. Pommard is another commune which has no Grand Crus but this must be one of the best Premier Crus. I concur with Jasper Morris MW when he had a bottle of this very wine with friends when he said “we were very sad to finish the bottle “. My son Hugh bought this wine for me from Sotheby’s NY in December 2013 and brought it home in his luggage for Christmas that year and I am so glad he did. This is one of the 1001 Wines. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Armand de Brignac “Gold” Brut – NV
Champagne, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A prestige multi-vintage Champagne, composed of three distinct vintages sourced exclusively from estate-owned Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels in Rilly-la-Montagne, Chigny-les-Roses, and Ludes. Blend composition; 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier.

Handcrafted in small batches, this cuvée exemplifies depth, polish, and harmony, a benchmark luxury Champagne that delivers substance beyond the spectacle. Dosage is kept discreet, allowing purity, texture, and natural vinosity to shine.

Aromas & Flavors
Golden apple, ripe pear, and baked quince lead the nose, followed by brioche, toasted hazelnut, almond cream, and hints of citrus oil. Subtle honeyed notes and chalky minerality add impressive aromatic layering.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet energetic. The mousse is fine and persistent, framing a palate that is both rich and precise. Chardonnay provides lift and elegance, Pinot Noir adds structure and depth, while Pinot Meunier rounds the mid-palate. Long, polished finish, lingering but never heavy or fatiguing.

Food Pairings
Caviar, lobster with beurre blanc, sashimi, truffled poultry, aged Comté, or simply on its own as a statement aperitif.

Verdict
A spectacular Champagne that justifies its prestige. Complex, impeccably balanced, and deeply satisfying, the Gold Brut delivers true luxury through craftsmanship and terroir, not excess.

Did You Know?
Armand de Brignac is produced by the Cattier family, whose Champagne lineage dates back to 1763. Unlike many prestige cuvées, the Gold Brut is crafted from 100% estate fruit, with each bottle riddled, disgorged, and finished by hand , a rarity at this scale.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
One of the most delicious Champagnes tasted recently, memorable and worth the investment. — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium light ruby , quite wide light ruby rim . On the nose shows good complexity with sous bois , truffle , cherry and raspberry. On the palate this is again more tertiary in character , with those cherry fruits complementing the earthy sous bois notes . With time this shows a mineral , stony undertow , but stays fresh and vital , with those cherry and raspberry notes . Very fine , ripe but grippy tannins . Fresh acidity and good balance , good velvety mouthfeel . This is great now though improves with time in the glass , so there is absolutely no rush here , from now and over the next 10 years perhaps. An excellent showing for this challenging year . At Auberge de l’ill, Illhaeusen. — 25 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Primera cena troigoss — 11 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Cena granfinale troigoss — 11 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2020 vintage. Slightly underwhelming with a lack of personality on the finish. The meet and greet with the canapés and cocktails on the initial and mid-palates were definitely covered tho. 4.18.26. — 2 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.6

Gorgeous. Color, Perfume, Palate, Finish. — 3 months ago

Mike Matsumoto

9.2

いずこ供出の2022年もの。やっぱりすごい。 — 6 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.4

Absolute fire — 6 months ago