Le Petit Clos 2017

Provenance

The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Brice and Burnett – The Fine Wine Specialists (formerly Wine Cellar). His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Brice and Burnett (formerly Wine Cellar) thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.

For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@briceandburnett.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.

Critics Ratings

"The second wine, in the Bordeaux sense, the 2017 Le Petit Clos has a different blend from the grand vin, in this case 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Carmenere, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot and is quite different every year. It fermented in 7,500-liter oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a four- to five-week maceration followed by malolactic in new barriques. It matured in new French barriques for six months and spent the next 16 months in first, second and third use French oak barrels. I found a lot less influence from the oak here than in the 'grand vin' and a more classical profile with dominance of the Cabernet Sauvignon—ripe without excess, powerful and concentrated but with very good balance. It's quite approachable even when it feels quite youthful; the tannins are round, and the wine is neat and velvety with some creaminess. It has an elegant profile within the powerful character of the vintage. It surpassed my expectations, and I find it every bit as good as the 2016." - Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93+/100 (Aug 2020)

"Suave and filled with concentrated currant, red plum and cherry flavors backed by crunchy acidity and fresh tannins. Minerally in the midpalate, with savory richness lingering on the finish with cocoa powder and herbal accents. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot." - Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Aug 2021)

"The 2017 Red Blend Le Petit Clos is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Carménère, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot from Apalta, Colchagua, aged for six months in new oak before moving on to used barrels for 16 months. Violet-hued with a brick-dust sheen. The ripe nose offers black currant and blackberry jam with a hint of bay leaf. In the mouth it's intense with a lick of alcohol that intensifies the firm tannins, which become concentrated without being overbearing. Pleasant and long-lasting, this wine is defined by the warmer year." - Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, 91/100 (Mar 2021)