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. — 4 days ago

James Patullo

9.0

Costco - very tasty — 6 years ago

Erock C

9.1

Posthumously review, it was great — 8 years ago

Kai Wright

9.3

Pronounced aroma of ripe, fresh black cherry, currant. Mad juicy! Big, round body with soft tannins. Fig and prune take over on a long finish with a poof of tobacco and cedar. — 8 years ago

with Jedd

Steven Klass

8.9

Not too bad — 9 years ago

Patrick Lavigne

9.2

Subtle blackberry nose with strong fumes. Complex mineral blend. Jelly-like texture. Dates and prunes stick out after opening up. Lemon peel after-taste. Amazing quality/price. — 10 years ago

Stephen Osgood

10

wild agaves. doesn't get any better. #additivefree — 3 years ago

Charles York

9.1

Super enjoyable. Light, crisp.Raspberry. Perfect with paella. — 5 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

Lemons and chalk! A match, weirdly w cavatelli and pesto. Beautiful, bright stuff. — 6 years ago

Stuart Dershaw

8.9

Great Malbec at this low price point. Lots of fruit and mild tannins. — 6 years ago

Rhonda Stone

9.0

A very nice malbec blend recommended by Zack. — 8 years ago

Matt Wright

9.0

#otheravenues — 8 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.6

Great Joven Mezcal,
— 9 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

This is the Artazu Pasos de San Martin Navarra, a varietal Garnacha. A bit sleepy before it gets air, it gradually Benjamin Buttons and develops a terrifically pure nose of kirsch and raspberry ooze, along with crushed rock dust and sandalwood. In the mouth it’s got intense fruit, but is laser-focused and has excellent acids. Zero flab.
Just enough tannin to package it all. Really nice rendition of Grenache. — 4 years ago

Enrique

8.9

Minera, salino, con especias. Refrescante — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.0

Ypo pujol jrz 9/17 — 6 years ago

Sam Haeuser

9.7

Megan's favorite — 8 years ago

Oxicedrus Juniperus

9.0

Sorprendente después de siete años ...
— 8 years ago

Steve Bozich

9.1

Glad I've been buying from this Pasos Robles winery for about 10 years now. A Big Boy at 15.6 ABV, decanted 2 hours ahead. Pleasantly not an alcohol bomb. Fantastic nose. Dark dried cherry, dirt, licorice, iron. Very chewy.
80% Paderewski vineyard.
58% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 14% Grenache, 10% Petite Sirah. Imaginative blend!
Not my favorite of theirs, but never disappointed. 9.2 — 9 years ago

Chad Henderson

9.1

Nose of leather, peppery spice, and berries. Taste of black current and pepper. Hint of licorice bite on the young and earthy notes like tobacco and soil. Aftertaste is subtle with plum jam and light tannins. — 10 years ago

with Kristen