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

Lavanya Manohar

9.5

Mexican wine after a harrowing time in secondary #El Paso — 3 months ago

Jen Resnick

9.0

Delicate and delicious — 5 months ago

John Van Trijp

9.8

Weekend with Friends and average wines…😎 — 6 months ago

Steve Rura

8.9

End of my Broc holiday shipment. Light and very tart zin. Blackberry, plum, and craisins. A bit of earthy spiciness, and faint char on the nose. 12.5% abv. With Gouda and mini toasts. One last indulgence before going back to the daily grind. — 6 months ago

Michael Amoruso

9.1

And now for something different…
Minerality, yellow plums. Nice acidity and finish. — 8 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

Drinking great. Never over the top type Zin. But complex and very enjoyable — a month ago

Matthew Robinson

9.1

Really, great malbec at its peak — a month ago

Haelee Kim

9.0

Good and smooth, light mostly zin. I like — 2 months ago

ESF

8.9

solid Zin - bit too fruit focused & manipulated for my taste, plus it's expensive ($30) for what it is, prolly a crowd pleaser — 3 months ago

Michelle Richards

9.0

Great value wine — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of black cherry, espresso, black tea, dried herbs and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now with patience but, to my palate, I think this will be better with a few more years in the cellar so the oak can better integrate. This is built to last well past 2041. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Deep Ruby color, purple hues, aromas of red and black fruits with herb and cigar spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with vanilla, cacao and tobacco. Fine round tannins, medium+ length ending with fruit, tobacco and mineral spice. Good now! — 7 months ago

Joe Flo

9.9

This wine is still bordering on perfection absolutely gorgeous and delicious. — a month ago

Dave

9.3

Day 1 of this year's Smallmouth Smackdown has begun. After 7 hours on the boat, and a dozen bass, it's time to crack into some libations (had a few PBR's on the boat).
This is a lush Zin. Concentrated fruit, but savory and chewy. Blackberry, blood orange, cigar box, and enough structure to age much longer. This is my 3rd Ridge Zin, and I'd have to say I still favor the Pagani Ranch.
Listening to Chris Stapleton — a month ago

Collin Clark

9.3

It’s a winner? Yea — 4 months ago

Donald Williams

9.6

Wonderful. Of course, it’s a Turley Zin. — 6 months ago

with Bonnie

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark red fruits, spice and rustic floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with pepper spice and cedar notes. Fine grainy tannins, lively acidity, medium finish ending with fruit, spice and mineral notes — 6 months ago

Galen Hasler

9.0

Beautiful northern IT style red, light body — 7 months ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.0

Revisiting an old friend. From one of Europe’s highest vineyards. Pure, clean citrus fruit hits you right away like a freshly melted alpine stream in spring. As the bottle warms up, unexpected tropical notes emerge - coconut and pineapple (aka nuances of piña colada). — 10 months ago