Clos du Soleil Signature 2017

91POINTS

16^¾/20

British Columbia, CanadaThis year's Signature, the winery's aptly named flagship blend, mixes cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and malbec from various vineyards in the Similkameen Valley. Each block was harvested separately, destemmed and native fermented in concrete before moving to French oak for 15 months aging. Upfront and powerful, this is a dense and fleshy blend of wild blackberry, ripe cassis, thorns, scrubby mint and desert sage. There's a freshness inherent that carries this bigger wine effortlessly to a spiced finish. This year has a sweet ripeness that makes it easy to drink and enjoy now, but a structure that will ensure it rests well in your cellar for a few years yet.Tasted: 26 December 2020Tasted by: Prices:

$45.90

750ml

winery online/direct, select private retailers, restaurants

Producer: Clos du Soleil WineryDistributors: Select Wines & Spirits
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Malbec - Petit VerdotCSPC: 866038UPC: 857088000503

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92POINTS

17/20

Clos du Soleil Signature 2017

British Columbia, CanadaSignature is the flagship red at Clos du Soleil, made by winemaker Michael Clark. 2017 was a classic year with moderate temperatures and the ripening period that suits the savoury, stony, dusty fruit of the Similkameen Valley. The fruit comes off several Similkameen vineyards: Clos du Soleil Estate Vineyard (Keremeos), La Côte Vineyard (Keremeos), Middle Bench Vineyard (Keremeos), and Chopaka Ridge Vineyard (Cawston). The ’17 mix is 38/29/21/9/3 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot fermented in concrete tanks using native yeasts, and aged for 15 months in French oak. This wine is attractive from the get-go, and has proven to remain so over the years as it ages. Look for a balanced mix of raspberry and blackberry, with notable stony, floral mineral highlights. Best of all are the textures, seemingly weighty and dense before they melt away in a long, intriguing desert scrub/savoury finish. Only the exceptional barrels make it to the Signature blend.Tasted: 01 November 2020Tasted by: Prices:

$45.90

750ml

winery online/direct, select private retailers, restaurants

Producer: Clos du Soleil WineryDistributors: Select Wines & Spirits
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Malbec - Petit VerdotCSPC: 866038UPC: 857088000503

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91POINTS

16^¾/20

Clos du Soleil Signature 2017

British Columbia, CanadaThis is the real deal, and a relative steal at $45, especially when you consider this is among the top Bordeaux style blends in BC. Two things really set this apart. First, it's remarkably approachable after only 1.5 years in bottle. The 2017 vintage produced some fiercely tannic reds, and yet this is impressively silky and refined. Second, the fruit is incredibly pure and bright, and nicely framed by espresso-tinged oak. It's elegant and fresh, even at 14.7%, and not aspiring to be from somewhere else. Why would it, when you have the Similkameen's characteristic saline minerality. Only 373 cases produced.Tasted: 02 November 2020Tasted by: Prices:

$45.90

750ml

winery online/direct, select private retailers, restaurants

Producer: Clos du Soleil WineryDistributors: Select Wines & Spirits
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Malbec - Petit VerdotCSPC: 866038UPC: 857088000503

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