I was recently at the youth hockey rink — where I spend more than a good part of my time from September to March each year watching my kids play — when another parent asked me if I knew much about wines from South America. She was keen on expanding her interests beyond the domestic market and had heard that wines from Chile, in particular, represented a “good value.” Having recently attended a tasting that featured the wines of Lapostolle from Chile, I was quick to correct her, and replied, “No, they represent a great value.”
Lapostolle was founded in 1994 by the legendary family behind Grand Marnier. When Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle first arrived in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, she clearly recognized the potential the region had for producing world class wines. After all, the region had grape vines originating from pre-phylloxera rootstock (phylloxera is a small insect that is deadly to grape vines) that had been brought to Chile from Bordeaux in the 1800s. Lapostolle’s goal was to incorporate high-end French winemaking practices with the ideal climate of Chile to produce high-end quality wines.
Her dream became a reality when she convinced world-renown French wine consultant Michel Rolland to join the inaugural winemaking team. She quickly assembled viticulturists, oenologists and winery staff from both France and Chile and developed vineyards in Chile’s Colchagua, Casablanca and Cachapoal growing regions. This blending of talent, grapes and terroir led to the new mantra for the project; “French in Excellence. Chilean by Birth.”
Today, all 922 acres of vineyard land are both organically and biodynamically managed. Growers use no pesticides and work in tandem with the land to cultivate and harvest the fruit. Many of the vines are very old and, as a result of growing in a phylloxera-free climate, are wonderful examples of their French lineage. The estate produces four “brand” levels that provide the consumer with a wide range of wines, each delivering delicious value at their price point. Retail prices are approximate.
The Casa series are wines made from younger fruit sourced from the Rapel and Casablanca valleys and tend to emphasize a brighter and more vibrant expression. The 2009 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) is fermented in stainless steel and aged for just under a year in neutral French oak barrels. Scents of red currants and cedar wood waft on the bouquet and join flavors of plum and black cherries on the mid-palate. Subtle notes of vanilla mark the smooth finish. QPR 8.5
The 2011 Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc ($10) is fermented and aged exclusively in stainless steel tanks, giving the wine a pure fruit core. Grapefruit and nectarine aromas dominate the nose while full-bodied flavors of green melon and tropical fruit — thanks to a touch of semillon — coat the palate. Touches of lemon/lime citrus provide bright notes on the crisp finish. QPR 8
The Cuvee series are wines that are produced from single vineyard estates under the organic/biodynamic program. The grapes are harvested by hand and then vinified using only wild yeast, with no filtration. The 2009 Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Carmenere ($19) is an excellent example of Chile’s “home town” grape varietal, showing off an elegant nose of red plums, black cherries and cardamom spice. In the mouth, the wine is well-balanced around a core of black fruit and tobacco flavors. There is a slight green leaf/herbaceous note on the structured finish that turns a touch smoky at the end. QPR 7
The ultimate expression of Lapostolle’s vision is expressed in the 2008 Lapostolle Clos Apalta ($65), a blend of carmenere, merlot and cabernet sauvignon sourced from 60 to 100 year-old pre-phylloxera vines from the Apalta vineyard in the Colchagua Valley. All of the carmenere and cabernet sauvignon berries are all hand-picked and and-sorted. The wine is made with minimal intervention so that the vivid and intense flavors of black cherry, black plum, red currants and roasted espresso shine through on the elegantly balanced palate. Buoyed by sweet tannins, the richly structured finish shows of hints of cocoa and coffee and persist for over a minute. QPR 9
Note: QPR is a rating system that compares the quality a wine delivers relative to the price. A QPR of 10 is considered an excellent value.
