Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Merlot (75cl, 14.5%)

Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Merlot is a biodynamically farmed Chilean Merlot from the Apalta Valley, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. It is produced under the exclusive Chilean consultancy of Michel Rolland, in place since 1994. The wine is fermented with indigenous wild yeast in large oak vats. The blend is Merlot-dominant, typically around 85%, with complementary varieties that shift by vintage; the 2021 release included 11% Syrah and 4% Grenache. On the nose there are ripe plums, dark cherries, grilled spices, roasted red capsicum and tobacco, with vanilla, dark chocolate and dried herbs. The palate brings blackberry, cassis, black olive, plum and dark chocolate, with moderate acidity and fine-grained tannins. The finish is refined and moderately long, with supple tannins, pepper and lingering dark fruit.