Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Clos de los Siete by Michel Roland, Malbec Blend 2021, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷

Overview
A Bordeaux-inspired blend led by 59% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 13% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot, crafted under the vision of Michel Rolland. Compared to the 2019 vintage, the higher proportion of Malbec gives the 2021 greater concentration, depth, and a more distinctly Argentine personality while maintaining its polished French-inspired elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black plum, cassis, violet, dark chocolate, espresso, graphite, cedar, and sweet baking spices unfold in generous layers. The fruit feels darker and more concentrated, revealing additional complexity with air.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with a luscious, velvety texture and beautifully integrated tannins. The extra Malbec brings added richness and depth, while vibrant acidity keeps the wine energetic. The finish is notably longer, more textured, and impressively persistent.

Food Pairings
Argentine asado, grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised beef, mushroom risotto, aged Manchego, or hard Alpine cheeses.

Verdict
An outstanding evolution of Clos de los Siete that leans into a deeper, more expressive profile without sacrificing balance. Richer, more textured, and exceptionally harmonious, the 2021 stands out as one of the strongest recent vintages of this iconic blend.

Did You Know?
Although Clos de los Siete is inspired by Bordeaux, the increasing prominence of Malbec in recent vintages reflects the confidence of Argentina’s Uco Valley terroir, allowing the region’s signature grape to take center stage while the Bordeaux varieties provide structure and finesse.

🍷 Personal Pick
Having enjoyed both vintages, I found the 2021 even more compelling than the already excellent 2019 (also reviewed in Delectable). The additional Malbec adds a deeper core of fruit, greater texture, and a remarkably persistent finish that elevates the wine into an even more complete and satisfying expression. It has officially become my favorite Clos de los Siete vintage to date. — 21 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Cena granfinale troigoss — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

vintage 2015 | spicy, pepper, morelcherries, strict, good acidity — 2 months ago

Shay A

9.5

94-95

This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.

93 syrah/ 7 viognier

The third syrah in my lineup was a wine I've enjoyed a few times over the last five years. Bangin' vintage and in a style I enjoy (syrah and vio). Purple-black in the glass, it offers up killer aromatics of rich, dark fruit, some baking spice, and smoked meat. Even with nearly four hours, this was a monster in structure with tannin that paired beautifully with an herb crusted lamb rack. Powerful on the palate with smoked berries, bacon, espresso, vanilla and a savory finish. Still on the upswing with lots of wonderful Cote-Rotie fireworks in store. Wish I had another! — 2 months ago

Lorenzo Marzilli

9.0

Interesting palette not sure I ever tasted such an herbal wine before. Nose: cherry, orange? Taste: cherry, rhubarb, unidentified herb? Definitely a new try but very interesting and I did enjoy.  — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened prior to dinner and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated black and red fruits: mixed brambles, Flintstone vitamins, spiced meat, olives, purple flowers, black pepper, dried herbs, rocky earth, a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Similar to the 1997 we tasted alongside, with all of the same notes except this brought back the familiar Flintstone vitamins that I have encountered in La Mouline from the past. The structure was also more substantial. I preferred this to the 1997 tonight…but I’m splitting hairs! — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2016 vintage. PNP. Medium body. Dusty intro with expansive mid-palate and fruity finish. In a state of transition now. Hold off for 2-3 years if you can. 7.10.26. — 12 days ago

Lev Lavrichtchev

9.0

Jul 2026: PnP, awesome cannubi nose, nice palate, very soft structure, barely any tannins as if past peak, I wish I have opened it 5 years back — 20 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Cena granfinale troigoss — a month ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Nice - not quite as deep or expressive as other 2021s, and at 14.5% the structure is pretty high, but still a nice Sangiovese overall. — 2 months ago

K Brooks

8.9

Light, fresh and delicious with salmon, asparagus and butternut squash. Perfect for a May dinner. — 2 months ago

AEL

9.0

Earth, orange peel, berries, maybe wood. Light on palate, but structured. — 3 months ago

Harvey Raben

9.6

Still strong with bramble fruit herbal characteristics that flow into a long finish. For a 43 year old this is spectacular example of Syrah in the northern Rhône. Complexity without off flavors from aging. — 3 months ago

K Brooks

8.9

Quite nice with Shawarma chicken. — 5 days ago

Kurt Winrich

9.2

At La Coin in Seattle — 6 days ago

Ali Copp

9.6

Italian Club
100 Sangiovese. Balsamic, balanced tannins, violet. Was perfect with pasta.
We both loved this one — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Pale to mid ruby in colour. A lovely perfumed nose of roses and red flowers The palate is savoury and sweet with medium density…dry red cherries Thoroughly enjoyable with home made pasta. Top quality and worth the price. — 2 months ago

Alan smith

9.4

Probably my favorite Sangiovese so far.

Nose is expressive - cherry, plum, graphite, spice, lavender.

Tastes like cherry and dark fruit, minerals, tobacco.

Full bodied, rich and intense.

With age it probably will live up to the multiple 96+ professional reviews. — 3 months ago

romo

9.4

Eucalyptus all day. Still years to go. Happy Anniversary, Gary! - at Laurelhurst — 3 months ago

Garen Staglin

9.4

Little dry. — 3 months ago