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

Jeremiah Diaz

8.9

Clear, medium ruby to garnet in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced intensity primary and secondary aromas of black cherries, cassis, and graphite; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and intense primary and secondary flavors of blackberries, black cardamom, and wet gravel with a medium finish. This wine is simple, but balanced. Overall, I rate this wine as good. — 4 months ago

with Nellie

Sean Burke

9.1

Great, unusual and not fruity — 4 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.4

Absolute fire — 6 months ago

Clay Bullwinkel

9.4

Superb. Minerals, strawberry. — 7 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Longtime favorite and I snap up this foxy number whenever I see it. Crunchy strawberry and herbs, a bit of animal and yeast at the end but not too much to compromise the freshness. I don’t think this ages and should be drunk up but that doesn’t make it any less special — 2 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Cena granfinale troigoss — 13 days ago

Brian

9.3

1986 vintage, 40 year old wine on our 40th Anniversary — 2 months ago

Caleb Krell

9.6

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

Mark S.

9.1

Pale lemon yellow with green. Ample aroma vanilla white flower pear peach elegancy. Creamy. Quite rich and high acidity. MSF Fruitiness M Sweetness M Acidity M+ Bitterness M Body M++ Finish M+ 14% Fresh Rich Jean-Philippe Fichet Le Tesson Meursault Chardonnay 23 @30600, AYB Shop, 260228 — 4 months ago

Conrad Green

9.7

Wonderful deep and rich wine. This is in great shape. Dark plum and blakcurrant with iron and bloody intensity. Great tension and complexity. So fresh. This is great — 5 months ago

with Bex and David

Clay Bullwinkel

9.5

Superb. Minerals, herbs, mango — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2023 vintage. Part of a portfolio tasting through 25 white/red Burgs. 9.29.25. — 9 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Cena granfinale troigoss — 13 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. — 3 months 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

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.8

Faint - Dijon mustard. I rated this vintage many many times. Very pale. Drink up really. At its peak - this is awesome but will not get better. Quite oxidized. Profound orange 🍊 notes / Inter-dispersed with fading dark cherry. Incredible well balanced at this point. „Tip of the spear….“. Super complex back palate - what the hell is this? Tumeric, ….boy am I glad i have an Argon line at home to be able to taste this for days. Last bottle. — 4 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

Doug Powers

9.0

This CdP seems a bit more angry and wild from being opened, a touch more structure than the softer 2000 Bosquet des Papes (2001 was a more tannic vintage), solid balance, also mature, 13.5% ABV, longish finish. — 7 months ago

with Jim

Joy Hammons

9.7

Excellent! It took very little time to breathe which was unexpected for a 2011. We will be buying more of this if we can find it. — 2 years ago