Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Estate Reserve is the flagship red at Clos du Soleil that is farmed biodynamically and certified organic. It opens with Similkameen intensity: bony, rich in savoury black fruit, with a mineral undercurrent. In 2017 merlot took the lead at 47%. The rest of the mix is cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and malbec. It is all fermented and aged separately for 18 months before the final assemblage. Plums, violets, crushed stones, black pepper, cedar, it is all here. It gets two more years of bottle age, but really, this wine is a decade away from its plateau. Impressive.Tasted: 09 September 2021Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$53.00
750ml
winery direct
Producer: Clos du Soleil WineryDistributors: Select Wines & Spirits Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - Cabernet Franc - MalbecCSPC: 859835UPC: 857088000497
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOnly 95 cases of this wine, the pinnacle of their organically / biodynamically farmed estate terroir, was made off the 2017 vintage. Unlike 2016, this is merlot dominant at 47%, followed by cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and malbec. Each variety was native fermented separately (partial whole cluster), and then rested in French barrels for 18 months prior to the blend. The finished wine was bottled without fining or filtration. Such a savoury red, I'm surprised cab sauv isn't in the lead. Gravels and graphite is ruled by red and black cherry and raspberry, soft plum, subtly smoked stone, fragrant violets, and wafts of cracked black pepper. Tannins are youthfully tight and grippy still, though integrating well into the wine, while acidity is Similkameen fresh. Thoughtful farming and winemaking shows here in this impressive red, drinking beautifully now and with a few years ahead in the cellar.Tasted: 06 August 2021Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$53.00
750ml
winery direct
Producer: Clos du Soleil WineryDistributors: Select Wines & Spirits Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - Cabernet Franc - MalbecCSPC: 859835UPC: 857088000497
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClos du Soleil's Estate Reserve Red is the top red in their portfolio, and it's rightfully earned its place as one of the top reds in the province. This wine continues to go from strength to strength, with winemaker Michael Clark elegantly expressing the terroir of Clos du Soleil Estate Vineyard. There's exceptional intensity to the fruit, with finely detailed dark berries and black currant, but what really elevates this wine is the profound savouriness and mineral backbone, which could really only come from the Similkameen. There's crushed stones, dried herbs, graphite, cedar, and deftly integrated oak spices. Even with 2+ years of bottle age, and 18 months in barrel, this is only just starting to unwind and open up. Give it some time to evolve in the glass if you open it today. But make sure to revisit it in 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. At least. Highly recommended.Tasted: 04 August 2021Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$53.00
750ml
winery direct
Producer: Clos du Soleil WineryDistributors: Select Wines & Spirits Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - Cabernet Franc - MalbecCSPC: 859835UPC: 857088000497