2021 Clos du Lican
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Clos du Lican hails from 20-year-old vines and aged in 50% new large-format barrels. It opens with an intensely ripe, dark-fruited bouquet supplemented with aromas of purple flowers, crushed stones and espresso. The palate is plush, soft and decadent before concluding with a similarly opulent, sweetly fruited finish framed by judiciously extracted, fine-grained tannins. Lovers of flashy, punchy New World expressions of Syrah will find much to love.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Clos du Lican is special stuff, and I’d be happy to line it up with the best Syrahs in the world. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as stunning aromatics of darker berries, cassis, smoked herbs, sappy spring flowers, and ground pepper, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a pure, seamless mouthfeel, flawless balance, and sweet tannins. All Syrah from a higher elevation site, with roughly 400 cases made, it’s unquestionably the finest Syrah I’ve tasted from South America, and it stylistically seems to be a mix of a great California Syrah (think Sine Qua Non) with its fruit-driven style and purity, with just a kiss of Old World game, meatiness, and minerality. Nevertheless, it’s not for the challenging-vintage-from-the-Northern-Rhône-or-bust crowd with its ripeness (it’s 15% alcohol), purity, classy oak, and utterly pleasure-bent style. Will it evolve like a great Hermitage or Côte Rôtie? Time will tell, but hats off to winemaker Charles de Bournet for a legit sensational Syrah. If you get a chance, buy this wine.
I’ve never before smelled a wine like this. The captivating aromas are amazing, with lavender, sage, dried potpourri, blackberries, tar, pepper and black licorice. Full-bodied with super tannins that fan out and caress the palate. It’s ethereal and endless. A pure syrah from the owners of Clos Apalta, from unique mountain vineyards. Just over 6,000 bottles made. Try to give this four or five years of bottle age. Best after 2028.
About the producer
Chile’s Clos Apalta is arguably South America’s most successful estate, garnering praise from the world’s leading wine critics and connoisseurs. The 2005 vintage was named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year – the only South American wine to do so – and the wines continue to impress.