A Valle de Uco project where four bodegas combine estate grown fruit in one Malbec led Mendoza red.
The producer
Clos de los Siete brings together four bodegas in Tunuyán, Valle de Uco, Mendoza: Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes and Bodega Rolland. Each partner manages its own vineyards and winery, contributes estate grown wine to the shared bottle, and may also make separate wines under its own name. Michel Rolland originated the project and blends the wine. The 2022 is a Malbec led red aged approximately 11 to 12 months in French oak, with earthy plum fruit, medium body and sweet spice at the finish.
Known for
Shared Malbec led Mendoza blend
Notable facts
The vineyards cover 850 hectares at the foot of the Andes in Valle de Uco.
The land was acquired in 1998 and the first vines were planted in December 1999.
The first vintage of Clos de los Siete was 2002.
Malbec occupies more than half the property at 5,500 vines per hectare.
The story
Rolland Finds 850 Hectares
In 1996, Michel Rolland went looking for roughly 100 to 120 hectares of vines in Argentina. He encountered an 850 hectare property instead. The size changed the plan. Rolland recruited other families to join the project, creating a collaboration in which each partner could manage its own vineyards and winery while contributing wine to one shared bottle. The bodegas could also make separate wines under their own names. The search that began with a smaller vineyard holding ended with four independently managed bodegas working together in Valle de Uco.
From the atlas
Clos de los Siete
A Valle de Uco project where four independently managed bodegas contribute estate grown fruit to one Malbec led red.
At A Glance
Region
Tunuyán, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Project size
850 hectares of vineyards
Main grape
Malbec
Signature wine
Clos de los Siete 2022, a Mendoza red blend
Defining feature
Four bodegas contribute estate grown wine to one shared blend
The Producer
Four bodegas contribute to Clos de los Siete, a single shared wine from Tunuyán in Valle de Uco, Mendoza. Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes and Bodega Rolland each manage their own vineyard portion and winery, contribute wine to the shared blend, and may also bottle under their own names. Michel Rolland is the project's originator, partner, blender and consulting winemaker.
Rolland first visited Argentina in 1988. The land was acquired in 1998, the first vines were planted in December 1999, and the first vintage was 2002. The project uses estate grown grapes from its own vineyards.
Place
Clos de los Siete sits at the foot of the Andes in Valle de Uco. The site is very dry and has a large difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. This temperature swing can let grapes ripen while retaining acidity.
The vineyards face south to southwest, giving the vines sun exposure in every season. Rounded stones, clay and sand make up the soils, while roots reach gravel about one metre below the surface. The gravel provides natural drainage. Drip irrigation controls water delivery in the dry setting.
Wines
Clos de los Siete is the project's single shared wine. The partner bodegas also make separate wines under Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes and Bodega Rolland, so those labels sit alongside the collaborative bottle.
The 2022 is a Malbec led red blend from Mendoza. Cold pre fermentation maceration comes before alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel, followed by post fermentation maceration. The wine receives approximately 11 to 12 months in French oak. It is earthy and ripe, with gentle plum on the nose and medium bodied palate, followed by light sweet spice on the finish.
Final Word
Clos de los Siete joins four independently managed vineyard and cellar operations in one estate grown Mendoza wine. Its shared bottle is a Malbec led red shaped by the dry, high setting of Valle de Uco and French oak ageing.