Clos du Soleil 2015 Signature 3.0L

The Signature label is just that at Clos du Soleil. It fits the winery philosophy of pursuing the art of the blend as made famous by vintners of Bordeaux. In 2015 all the main Bordeaux red grapes were involved, albeit in the Similkameen Valley way. After destemming the fruit and giving it a short cold soak, winemaker Mike Clark starts a partial native yeast fermentation followed by 15 months of ageing in French oak. At first glance, it looks like a California red blend with its deep colour and dense tannins, but in the mouth, there is a sense of restraint and balance that speaks to the modest 13.8 alcohol in a hot year when runaway alcohols were the norm. Look for silky cassis, blackberry/raspberry, with just a squeeze of acid before the tannins kick in. Drink or hold, but any extra time in your cellar will reward this bottle whose life has only just begun.

Score: 91 points -- Anthony Gismondi, Sept 2019