Clos du Soleil Winemaker's Series Middle Bench Vineyard Syrah 2017
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis single-vineyard syrah comes from Keremeos' Middle Bench Vineyard in the heart of the Similkameen Valley. The grapes are hand-harvested at peak maturity, the grapes for this wine were gently destemmed, crushed, and fermented in small-lot, open-top fermenters for 30 days with daily manual punch-downs. The ageing is done in French barrels, only 12 percent new, for 16 months, which was four more months than last year. The nose is floral and stony (Similkameen) with bright blackberry, and aromatic black plums dusted in pepper and cloves. It is very young and showing some chewy tannins at this point that will require a full three to five years to disperse.Tasted: 07 February 2020Tasted by: Prices:
Clos du Soleil Winemaker's Series Middle Bench Vineyard Syrah 2017
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAs last year, this single vineyard syrah comes from Keremeos' Middle Bench Vineyard, was destemmed and fermented in open fermenters for one month prior to pressing and aging in French oak barrels (12% new). This year the aging bumped up from 12 months to 16, but otherwise, this shows a lovely consistency. Ripe blackberry, perfumed plum, cracked pepper and cloves, and an undercurrent of brooding cassis and dried violets. At this youthful stage, tannins are still ragged and raging, but, as before, these will meld into the wine with time in bottle in your cellar. For now, airtime, grilled lamb and/or mushrooms.Tasted: 22 January 2020Tasted by: Prices: