ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Clos Apalta: A legacy of passion and excellence

With June off to a fast start, we are over the moon with excitement as we jump right into our Sommelier Club month. For this release, we are thrilled to share the iconic Clos Apalta wine with our members. There is plenty of deep-rooted history in this wine, so let’s take you on a journey to Chile as we share what Clos Apalta is all about. 

The story of Clos Apalta is deeply intertwined with the rich history and passion of the Bournet Lapostolle family, who have dedicated themselves to the production of high-quality spirits and wines for generations. This legacy began in 1827 when Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle, the founding father, established a fruit liqueur distillery near Versailles, France. The family's commitment to crafting exceptional beverages continued with Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, who created the iconic Grand Marnier liqueur in 1880, a blend of cognac and rare bitter oranges that quickly gained international acclaim.

In 1994, Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, the great-granddaughter of Louis-Alexandre, embarked on a new adventure in Chile. Her ambition was to produce an exceptional wine and contribute to the qualitative development of the country's wine industry. With unwavering dedication and a tireless pursuit of perfection, Alexandra shaped the Clos Apalta vineyard foot by foot, transforming it into an iconic wine that would soon capture the attention of wine enthusiasts worldwide.

The Bournet Lapostolle family's commitment to excellence and innovation continues today under the leadership of Charles-Henri de Bournet Marnier Lapostolle, who took the helm in 2013 as the seventh representative of the dynasty. Bringing fresh ideas and renewed dynamism, Charles-Henri works alongside technical director Jacques Begarie and renowned consultant Michel Rolland, who is personally involved in every aspect of Clos Apalta's production.

This multigenerational dedication to crafting exceptional wines is evident in every bottle of Clos Apalta. The wine's success on the international stage includes perfect scores awarded to several vintages by prominent wine critics, is a testament to the family's unwavering commitment to quality.

The 2005 vintage of Clos Apalta was a groundbreaking achievement for the Chilean wine industry, as it was named the #1 Wine of the Year by the prestigious Wine Spectator magazine. This marked the first time a South American wine had ever received this coveted recognition, solidifying Clos Apalta's position as a world-class wine. The winery's success continued with the 2000 and 2001 vintages, which were ranked as the 3rd and 2nd best wines of their respective years by the same publication.

In recent years, Clos Apalta has continued to garner critical acclaim, with the 2017 vintage receiving a perfect 100-point score from renowned wine critic James Suckling. This marks the third time Clos Apalta has been awarded this prestigious rating, further cementing its status as one of Chile's most legendary wines. These remarkable achievements are a testament to the dedication, expertise, and passion of the Bournet Lapostolle family and their team, who have consistently produced wines of exceptional quality and character.

Clos Apalta stands as a shining example of the Bournet Lapostolle family's enduring legacy, a wine that embodies the perfect harmony of Chilean terroir, French winemaking expertise, and the family's tireless pursuit of excellence. As the story of Clos Apalta continues to unfold, the passion and commitment of the Bournet Lapostolle family will remain at the heart of this iconic wine for generations to come. We couldn’t be more excited to feature the iconic Clos Apalta wine as our pick for the June Sommelier Club at The Dinner Party!

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Laura Olson is co-owner of The Dinner Party along with her partner, Joe Petersen. You can also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop or visit www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.