Neyen Espiritu De Apalta

Neyen Espiritu De Apalta is a Chilean red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère from Apalta Valley, bottled at 750ml and 13–13.5% ABV. The 2017 vintage earned 95 points from James Suckling and 92 points from Wine Spectator, placing it among the most critically recognized wines produced in the Colchagua Valley.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13–13.5%  |  Origin: Apalta Valley, Colchagua Valley, Chile  |  Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 50% Carménère  |  Winery: Neyen de Apalta Vineyard

Production & Heritage

Neyen de Apalta Vineyard draws from some of Chile's oldest viticultural heritage — vines planted as early as 1890, now more than 130 years old, grown from pre-phylloxera cuttings originally imported from Bordeaux in the late 1800s. The Espiritu De Apalta blend undergoes 14 months of aging in French oak barrels followed by an additional 6 months in 3,000-liter foudres, a regimen designed to integrate oak influence without overwhelming the fruit. The equal split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère (though proportions may shift by vintage) reflects both the Bordelais origins of the vineyard material and the unique terroir of the Apalta sub-valley.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh raspberry and blackcurrant lead, followed by subtle vanilla and a cedar-laced backdrop. The nose is layered and restrained, suggesting depth rather than demanding attention.

Taste: The palate entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with blackcurrant and dark berry flavors framed by fine-grained, powdery tannins. At mid-palate, undertones of leather and cedar emerge, and the wine reveals its full-bodied, structured character. A delicate pepper note threads through the fruit, adding complexity without sharpness.

Finish: Long and refreshing, with smooth tannins that carry through cleanly. Lingering notes of dark fruit, spice, and subtle oak create a finish that is elegant rather than heavy.

How to Drink Espiritu De Apalta

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (16–18°C / 60–65°F) with 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to let the tannins soften and the aromatics fully open. Its structured, full-bodied profile also makes it a strong foundation for wine-based cocktails: a Kalimotxo variation using cola and a squeeze of lime plays off the wine's dark fruit and spice; a classic Sangria built with fresh stone fruit and brandy benefits from the wine's natural juiciness and tannic backbone; and a New York Sour — layering the wine as a float over a whiskey sour — leverages its deep color and berry-forward aromatics for a dramatic presentation.

Best For

• Gifting a serious wine collector interested in old-vine Chilean expressions
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of Carménère-based blends against Bordeaux benchmarks
• Pairing with a grilled red meat dinner for a special occasion
• Cellaring as part of a long-term South American wine collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Espiritu De Apalta taste like? It delivers juicy dark fruit — blackcurrant and raspberry — layered with cedar, leather, and a thread of pepper, all held together by fine-grained, powdery tannins and a long, refreshing finish.

How does Espiritu De Apalta compare to top Bordeaux blends? Like Bordeaux, it relies on Cabernet Sauvignon as a structural backbone, but the equal proportion of Carménère — a grape that largely vanished from Bordeaux after phylloxera — gives it a distinct juicy elegance and peppery complexity that most Left Bank reds do not share.

Is Espiritu De Apalta good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its balanced tannins, layered aromatics, and full-bodied structure make it a rewarding wine to drink neat, especially after decanting for 30 to 60 minutes.

Where is Espiritu De Apalta made? It is produced at Neyen de Apalta Vineyard in the Apalta sub-valley of the Colchagua Valley, one of Chile's most acclaimed wine-growing regions, located roughly 180 kilometers south of Santiago.

What foods pair well with Espiritu De Apalta? Grilled beef ribeye highlights the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit; slow-braised lamb shoulder mirrors its leather and cedar undertones; aged Manchego cheese complements its savory depth; roasted portobello mushrooms echo the earthy complexity; and dark chocolate with a cacao content of 70% or higher pairs well with the wine's berry and vanilla notes.

What sizes does Espiritu De Apalta come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Espiritu De Apalta worth the price? It positions as a premium Chilean red blend, and the combination of century-old vines, French oak aging, and consistent critical scores in the 92–95-point range places it in strong company within its price tier — delivering complexity and provenance that rival many wines at higher price points.

Why Espiritu De Apalta?

The defining feature of this wine is its vineyard source: vines planted in 1890 from pre-phylloxera Bordeaux cuttings, representing some of the oldest surviving grapevines in Chile. That heritage translates directly into the glass as concentration, complexity, and a sense of place that younger plantings simply cannot replicate. The 95-point score from James Suckling on the 2017 vintage confirms that the winemaking matches the raw material. For anyone seeking a Chilean red that goes well beyond varietal typicity and into genuine terroir-driven winemaking, Espiritu De Apalta stands as one of the Colchagua Valley's most compelling expressions.