Clos du Soleil Winemaker's Series Middle Bench Vineyard Syrah 2016
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTreve and I both tasted this wine independently this month and as you can see we were both enamoured with it. The Winemaker’s Series highlights fruit/vineyards from outside the normal Clos du Soleil portfolio. In this case, it's syrah from the Similkameen Valley's Middle Bench Vineyard. Destemmed and fermented in small open top fermenters for a month with daily punch downs has given winemaker Michael Clark some special juice. It spends a leisurely 15 months in French oak (12 percent new) before it goes to bottle. The style is all about minimal intervention that perfectly suits this rocky site and all its minerality. The nose is red-fruited and spectacular, mixing Okanagan desert herbs, floral, red cherries, and black raspberries with just a hint of pepper and meaty, charcuterie board notes. What you notice most is the freshness and finesse and the taut acidity that keeps it linear. Surprisingly drinkable but this one will go the distance. Bravo Michael.Tasted: 29 October 2018Tasted by: Prices:
Clos du Soleil Winemaker's Series Middle Bench Vineyard Syrah 2016
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Similkameen's Middle Bench Vineyard, this was destemmed and fermented in small open top fermenters for a month, with daily punch downs before pressing. It then spent one month in French oak, 12 percent new, before bottling. With minimal intervention throughout to preserve the rocky site, this shows dusky plum, sage-scented cherry, black raspberry, flicks of violet, and raspy peppercorns, undercut with savoury fresh tobacco and cured meats. Tannins are firm but worked, supporting rather than interfering. Fresh and energetic, far beyond its 14.4 degrees, this savoury syrah drinks beautifully now but will evolve with bottle age.Tasted: 29 October 2018Tasted by: Prices:
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