Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCélestiale has always been a lighter, early drinking style of red wine, with one foot in Bordeaux tradition and one foot in the reality of the wild, windy Similkameen. The style is juicy and fruity, but in 2021, some lingering smoke dampens the fruit, taking some life away from the wine. It is still pretty solid, and the texture, thanks to the concrete fermenters, is deliciously smooth and balanced but just a little off this year. I advise drinking it now while the wine can pitch some youthful fruit from below. Grilled beef, lamb, or barbecue pork with a sweet sauce would be the answer now. 2021 is a Similkameen mix of 55/19/12/7/7 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec, and petit verdot coming off various sites in Cawston and Keremeos.Tasted: 25 July 2023Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$29.90
750ml
winery online/direct
Producer: Clos du Soleil WineryDistributors: Select Wines & Spirits Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Petit Verdot - MalbecCSPC: 21249UPC: 857088000527
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCélestiale is the little sibling to Clos du Soleil's icon Signature red. Theoretically, you can enjoy this one now (signal screwcap) while waiting for Signature to mature. The fruit (55% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot) comes from 4 vineyards in Keremeos and Cawston. Each lot was destemmed, cold soaked, and fermented in concrete, then pressed into French barrels (12% new) for 15 months. This year feels particularly glossy and smooth, with ripe cherry, cassis jam, kirsch, and sweet tobacco rolling through a round and plumped palate. Tannins are furry and hug this to the warming, spiced finish. Super friendly (perhaps a bit too much to be taken super seriously), this is primed for drinking now, ideally with richer red meat dishes.Tasted: 10 September 2023Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$29.90
750ml
winery online/direct
Producer: Clos du Soleil WineryDistributors: Select Wines & Spirits Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Petit Verdot - MalbecCSPC: 21249UPC: 857088000527
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