Stautesque, elegant, complex.
Clos du Soleil's flagship estate red is made from four Similkameen vineyards and the 2018 is comprised of: Cabernet Sauvignon (32%), Merlot (42%), Cabernet Franc (19%), Malbec (5%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The product of a warm growing season, the wine was aged 16 months in French oak barrels before bottling.
A classic claret red (dark red--no purplish undertones) it delivers white pepper and licorice root, black currents and cherry liqueur, dried tobacco, cinnamon and shaved bitter chocolate. There is a generous amount of fruit here it is supple and woven, no sharp angles or hollows on this wines, and it's wonderfully weighted across the tongue from start to finish. The finish is lengthy and spiced.
A statuesque and elegant wine.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 14th, 2021

Stautesque, elegant, complex.
Clos du Soleil's flagship estate red is made from Similkameen grown Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Merlot (29%), Cabernet Franc (21%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot (3%). It was matured 15 months in French oak barrels before bottling and additional ageing.
Expect an elegant and complex red with kirsch and dusty mint, currents, graphite and baking spices, licorice and tobacco aromas. It is supple and has generous fruit. A statuesque red, well-constructed, with balance and persistence.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 12th, 2020

Savoury, peppery, floral.
Made from specially selected vineyard blocks in the Similkameen Valley and neighboring South Okanagan Valley. Signature varies each vintage but is generally comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. A nose that is sweet and succulent doles out black cherry, cassis and vanilla, with violet pastilles and lilac guest soaps, mocha and peppery spices. Overall, decent concentration and supple weight; spiced meaty flavours dominate with iodine and eucalyptus. Interesting soapy character with a slight band-aid tone.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 8th, 2018

Savoury, umami, fleshy.
This estate grown Cab Franc was fermented using wild yeasts, aged 15 months in neutral French oak barrels and was unfined and unfiltered; Clos du Soleil also uses biodynamic practices in its vineyard.
Wild black berry aromas are woven with dried herbs, green olives, smoked sausage, brown spices, soy sauce, dark cocoa and leather. The palate is fresh with more levity than the nose would lead you to assume; fleshy on the tongue with rich umami, savoury flavours. Good acidity adds levity and it finishes with salted mocha notes.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 8th, 2019

Fresh, texture, nutty.
Clos du Soleil is an organic winery located in the Similkameen Valley, they make minimal intervention wines with elegance. The Winemaker's Series consist of wines made to highlight varieties outside of Clos du Soleil's normal portfolio.
The estate La Cote Vineyard is in transition to organic and this Chardonnay is best described as fresh. It was fermented in French oak; it was aged on lees in oak for 8 months (no ML) with occasional stirring and was filtered just prior to bottling.
It has nutty+buttery notes woven with melon, lemon, pineapple, yellow apples and toasted spice aromas. The palate is fresh with just a suggestion of creamy fruit, primarily you'll taste lemon, spice and roasted nuts. Leaner than I recall from last year with some phenolic texture on the finish.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 29th, 2023