Clos du Soleil

White 2007 ($27-31)

Similkameen Valley

www.closdusoleil.ca

This week’s Bloom – VQA spring release tasting – burst forth in both Victoria and Vancouver.  There were a number of lovelies that I’m looking forward to revisiting very soon (La Stella Leggier, La Vieux Pin Reserve Merlot, Tantalus Rose, Dirty Laundry Hush, Black Hills Alibi among them), but the winery that is imprinted in my mind – and on my palate – is Clos du Soleil. 

One of BC’s newer wineries, Clos du Soleil is a collaboration of friends, nestled in the Similkameen, and fostered by the respected Lawrence and Sharon Herder, of Herder Winery.  While cofounder Spenser Massie and his team are obviously enamored with all things French – especially Bordeaux – the crew at Clos du Soleil believe that less is more.  Their current portfolio consists of two wines – White, and Red. Pretty simple.  Until you taste them, that is.  Suddenly ‘simple’ doesn’t suffice.

White 2007 is a creamy, smooth lemon and mineral knockout – a blend of 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillon.  Nutty and spicy, with citrus, gooseberry and a great river of minerality spiking through, fresh acid and a beautiful balance – I was sure I had tasted my favourite wine of the day.  

Until I tasted the Red 2007 that is.  Wow – this meritage blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc is polished, layered and lengthy.  A beautiful dusty gravel nose is surrounded with warm jammy raspberry, cherry, cedar and herbs.  Powerful with structure, yet elegant and smooooth - I have no doubt this will age well, but will be hard to keep around long enough to see. Spenser shared that future vintages of Red will contain Malbec and Petit Verdot as their vines mature – a full Bx set.  With Niagara winemaker Ann Sperling newly added to the team, I’m getting giddy just thinking about it.

There are only 450 cases of each Red and White available, so pick one (or two) up when you see them – and do me a favor – let me know how they age, k?

White

Rating:

—Treve Ring – Online DRINK Editor