Clos du Soleil Winemaker's Series Middle Bench Vineyard Syrah 2020
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis syrah cones from Cawston's Blind Creek Vineyard, with a 3% splash of viognier from Keremeos's La Côte Vineyard. The destemmed viognier was cofermented with the syrah over 3 weeks, prior to being pressed into French barrels (5% new) for 16 months. Dusky and sultry blackberry, black plum is seasoned with pipe tobacco and perfumed dark florals across a long, silken palate. Tannins are fine and firm and cedar scented, lining this fuller red through a stony and saline finish. Savoury and structured, this is one for the cellar, yet welcoming drinking now (with some airtime), ideally with BC lamb.Tasted: 08 March 2023Tasted by: Prices:
Clos du Soleil Winemaker's Series Middle Bench Vineyard Syrah 2020
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis Blind Creek Vineyard, Cawston syrah (97%) mixed with La Côte Vineyard, Keremeos viognier (3%) is all Similkameen Valley and part of the Clos du Soleil Winemaker’s Series. It opens with a mysteriously opaque level of black purple. The nose has an enticing, beguiling wild black fruit with dried herbs and white pepper. On the palate, black raspberries reign with a deep silky plummy mid-palate awash in pillowy tannins dusted in floral, sagebrush, and baking spices. Long, penetrating, and balanced with a touch of dark chocolate in the finish. As drinkable as it seems, this stony mineral affair will live in the bottle for years, if not decades. The fruit is hand-harvested at peak maturity, gently destemmed, lightly crushed, and fermented in concrete. The destemmed viognier was co-fermented with the syrah at just the perfect quantity to brighten up the syrah without intruding. It was 16 months in French oak barrels, of which only five percent were new. This is a benchmark wine.Tasted: 28 January 2023Tasted by: Prices: