We have enjoyed Clos du Soleil wines for several years now. The ruggedness of the Similkameen Valley adds boldness and complexity to their red wines. This is the first time we have enjoyed the flagship Signature Bordeaux style blend.
Thoughts on the 2020 vintage?
“The 2020 vintage was an exceptional one, in the end. Most of the growing season was good, with generally moderate temperatures (which is our preference) but a little delayed versus prior years. However September, and much of October, was extraordinarily warm and dry, leading to first-rate ripening conditions. As a result we are very excited about the quality of wines we have produced in 2020, both white and red.”
Michael Clark, Winemaker
Clos du Soleil Signature 2020 ($55.99)
Winemaking
The grapes for Signature 2020 are from
- Clos du Soleil Estate Vineyard (Keremeos),
- Clos du Soleil La Côte Vineyard (Keremeos),
- Blind Creek Vineyard (Cawston), Similkameen Valley BC
“Our winemaking philosophy is to treat our grapes gently and with respect, in order to produce complex, age-worthy wines that showcase the very best expression of the Similkameen Valley terroir. Each vineyard block was harvested separately, by hand, when judged to be at optimal maturity.
The grapes were then gently destemmed, crushed, and fermented in concrete tanks following a moderate cold-soak. The wines were fermented using only native wild yeasts to reinforce terroir expression. After a gentle pressing the wines were aged for 16 months in 100% French oak barrels. Only the barrels showing the greatest complexity, depth and elegance were selected for our Signature blend. Simplicity and a light hand in the winery have allowed us to deliver a wine which speaks of the beauty of our land.”
Michael Clark, Winemaker
Technical Data
Merlot 34%, Cab Sauvignon 33%, Cabernet Franc 21%, Malbec 9%, Petit Verdot 3%
Alcohol 14.1% / pH 3.70 / TA 6.49 / RS 0.18
Tasting Notes
The signature blend is young, bold and brawny but food-friendly with a steak now. The full-body wine opens with vibrant aromas of cherry, raspberry, leather with violets and rose petal fragrances. Flavours of blackberry, ripe raspberry, dark chocolate, and espresso with notes of tobacco and baking spices. The integrated ripe tannins add to the depth and complexity of the flavour and lead to a lovely long finish. 93+ Points
Gold Medal WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.
To purchase Signature or other premium Clos du Soleil wines please visit the winery site.
For more information on the Clos du Soliel winery and vineyards see – Clos du Soleil – Old World elegance … New World Edge!