ChipDWood's Wines Subscribe to this Feed

ChipDWood's Review:

Clos des los Siete refers to the seven owners who joint-own the Mendoza (or just south of), Argentina operation.Here's a GREAT read about the operation:http://www.vinography.com/archives/2007/01/the_wines_of_clos_de_los_siete.htmlThe 2007 Clos de los Siete is a blend of 48% Malbec, 28% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Syrah.PART I: I've split this review into two parts: The first, as you read here, reflects the first day of tasting this wine, after a twenty minute decant. Even after so, the wine was wound so tight it was tough to approach with even the fattiest of food pairings. So, I sealed up the bottle, and let it sit out over night, to be tasted again the following day, hoping that a night spent in the bottle would soften it up.Pairing: The '07 Clos de los Siete, as of this tasting, is so tight and gripping that it would kill any live wild game you could serve with it.PART II: I've split this review into two parts: This being the second part, after the bottle had a night to sit (while sealed) in the hopes that it would unwind at least a bit- but really to little avail. I went out of my way to like this wine- to give it the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I'm just missing the boat, and maybe in ten years it will have softened to the point of being enjoyable. Perhaps it's just not my "style" of wine, since I do favor wines that I can pair with food and the like.There's a very good chance I'm just missing what all the hype is about concerning this wine. I understand Mr. Rolland enjoys a wealthy and healthy reputation with Mr. Parker- and I know too that he may have been on the receiving end of a bad rap from the film "Mondo Vino", regarding his "consultations", micro-oxygenation, et al... Truth of it is though, I have enjoyed cheaper wines that will be better in five years and are MUCH better NOW.With all the money invested in the Clos de los Siete operation I can understand why this particular wine has such an unusually powerful backing behind it... but I'm afraid to say that with all of the notes of praise swirling around in its glass- I find that very glass to be half empty and entirely over-hyped, rather than half full.It's not a "bad" wine, but it is dramatically over-hyped, in my youthful palate's opinion.Pairing: Live Bear? Charging wild boar? ...Stilton cheese?

ChipDWood's Review:

I was surprised to read the negative review of this little Spanish treasure. Perhaps a bad bottle, as my experience with the Ercavio Tempranillo was nothing less than tremendous- particularly for the price.Parker gives it a 91 ( http://www.erobertparker.com/newSearch/th.aspx?th=118164&id=1 )- which for $13, no matter what one may think of Mr. Parker, is a knock-out when it comes to expectations.After a very quick decant (more like a double decant really; quick "wash" then back in the bottle) the fruit rose from the glasses to greet the nose in very convincing fashion.Medium bodied in weight, the sense of macerrated, even "smoked" red fruits is ample on the palate, and leads to a smooth and lingering finish.Truth is, the Ercavio now my #1 "Cheeseburger Wine", especially for the complexity and body that it delivers for such a meager price.We though it was delicious.