Clos du Lican Colchagua Valley 2022 is a concentrated yet very precise Chilean red from the Apalta DO, located in the Colchagua Valley, in the San José zone. The wine is made from 100% ‘Syrah’ from a single vineyard, and the Clos du Lican project itself belongs to the Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle family. The style of this wine is based not only on the power of maturity, but also on elegance, freshness and the potential for longevity.
The aroma reveals a bright profile of red and black berries, complemented by notes of white and black pepper and a subtle florality. This is an aromatically open, precise and layered wine.
The wine is refined, juicy and has a soft, polished structure, polished tannins, and a soft body. For the 2022 vintage, the producer also emphasizes the maintained freshness, a more moderate alcohol sensation and very good balance, so this wine leaves an impression of tension and elegance rather than massiveness.
Terroir is very important here. The Clos du Lican vineyard is located in the hilly Apalta area, surrounded by mountains, with old soils of granitic and granodioritic origin, a rocky surface and good drainage. This location is characterized by slower ripening, a pronounced amplitude of day and night temperatures, which allows it to maintain fresh acidity.
The wine was fermented in French oak tanks, maceration lasted 5-6 weeks, and then the wine was aged for 19 months in French oak barrels, of which 64% were new.
Serve at a temperature of 18-20 °C with marinated red meat dishes, rich stews with game or fish tapenade.
Casa Lapostolle is a prestigious Chilean winery located in the Colchagua Valley, a region renowned for its high-quality red wines. Founded in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet, the estate carries a strong French heritage: Alexandra is the great-granddaughter of the founder of the famous French liqueur house Grand Marnier, and her family’s traditions and craftsmanship have been passed on to this ambitious wine project.
Vineyards and Estate Locations
Casa Lapostolle owns more than 370 hectares of vineyards across three key wine regions in Chile:
Winemaking Methods and Sustainability
Casa Lapostolle applies organic and biodynamic farming practices. Grapes are grown without pesticides, using natural fertilizers and compost. Many vineyards are dry-farmed, without irrigation, allowing the vines to express the true character of the terroir. Harvesting is done by hand, and winemaking involves minimal filtration and cold stabilization to preserve the wine’s natural flavors and aromas.
Awards and Recognition
Casa Lapostolle wines consistently receive outstanding scores from international wine critics. Notably, Clos Apalta vintages 2014, 2015, and 2017 were awarded a perfect 100 points by James Suckling.
Winery and Visits
Casa Lapostolle’s winery is located in Cunaco, near the town of Santa Cruz, while the main production site is in the Apalta Valley, where the Clos Apalta winery stands. This six-level, gravity-flow winery is designed to minimize mechanical handling of the grapes and preserve wine quality. The estate also offers guided tours and tastings, allowing visitors to explore the winemaking process and enjoy panoramic views of the valley.
Casa Lapostolle is a prime example of how French winemaking tradition can be seamlessly combined with the unique terroir of Chile. With a constant focus on quality and sustainability, the winery’s wines are highly regarded both locally and internationally.
