Wine Spectator Top 100 Wine

Great Reviews Again and Again for Clos de los Siete!

Every year when the Wine Spectator releases their top 100 wines of the year, it is fun for me to go through our selection and see which of our wines made the list. With our large selection, you would think there would be many, but keep in mind, every year the Wine Spectator reviews about 16,000 wines. Many of the wines that make the top 100 are either very expensive or only a limited number of cases make it to Massachusetts. Don’t forget, the review process occurs all year long, so some wineries are now into a new vintage or our local distributor could be selling the previous vintage. With all that said, every year we do carry a few top 100 wines and they do disappear quickly from our shelves. Today's featured wine has been on the list many times. I first introduced this wine to the stores years ago, and lucky for you, there is enough in stock in Massachusetts that we can offer it at a reduced price!

Michel Rolland, who created Clos de los Siete, is one of the world’s best-known consulting winemakers. Based in Bordeaux, Rolland has worked with over 100 estates all over the world to make wines that show his signature fruit-driven style that has become so popular with critics and the public alike. Rolland first went to Argentina in 1988 and immediately fell in love with the atmosphere, the people, the beautiful landscape, the culture of the country, as well as its fantastic winegrowing potential. In his frequent return trips, Rolland quickly became convinced that all the conditions were right in Argentina to produce a great wine.


Rolland’s goal was to create the best Argentinian wine possible at the $20 retail level. After searching around for a while near Mendoza, the last city before reaching the Andes mountains, he found an ideal plot of land at a high altitude. There were nearly 2,000 acres with soils made up of pebbles, clay and sand in which sparse semi-desert vegetation grew. Once the location was decided on, he quickly teamed up with four other Bordeaux winemakers and purchased the land. Led by Rolland, this group of men and women combined their passion and expertise to create one magnificent wine that reflects Rolland's preference for silky, fruity, and oak-influenced wines. What is so impressive to me, is that since we first brought in the 2004 vintage, the wine continues to get great reviews and the regular price has stayed right around $20!


This week’s featured wine is the 2018 Clos de los Siete. Like always, this vintage is a blend of mostly Malbec with a mix of a number of other varietals. 2018 according to Rolland was a perfect vintage for Clos de los Siete. It has a deep red color and typical intense aromatics of blackberries and blueberries with hints of leather and spice. This is a wine that is seductive and flavorful right now but will certainly have the ability to age for some time. Perfect both for simple meals like burgers or more complex foods like braised short ribs. It is certainly a wine to consider purchasing six bottles of or even a case.

Clos de los Siete 2018 – Uco Valley, Argentina 750mL

#53 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021

90 Points - Wine Spectator
Dense and powerful, with plenty of loamy notes to the dark cherry and roasted plum flavors that show creamy accents. Ends with dark chocolate on the finish. Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2024.

94 Points - JamesSuckling.com
Ripe plum, black cherry, lavender and cocoa on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins. Polished and rounded with a plush, deep core of dark fruit. Lingering crushed-hazelnut notes on a long, concentrated finish. Drink or hold.

91 Points - Vinous
The 2018 Clos De Los Siete combines grapes from a large property of the same name in Campo de los Andes, Uco Valley in a blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The assemblage here is made by Michel Rolland and his team, 70% of which is aged in up to 1/3 use French barrels. Dense, dark violet in color. The nose is complex in the Bordelais style, presenting aromas of plum, blackcurrant and blackberry with hints of blueberry, oak and herbs. The 2018 is free-flowing on the palate with good energy and volume. It's mild tannins still have enough energy to lend shape and intense flavor. An interesting, potent wine. Drink in two years.