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2021 Clos Solène Harmonie

Light capsule condition issue

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased direct from a distributor

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

96The Wine Advocate

...layered scents of redcurrant, blueberry, lavender, tobacco leaves, mushrooms and graphite, striking a fine balance between youthful fruit and savory character. The medium-bodied palate has layered flavors that run the gamut from red berry to earth and flowers and boasts Goldilocks ripeness...elegant structure of velvety tannins, fireworks of fresh acidity and a long, nuanced finish.

94James Suckling

...perfumed nose with forest berries, cherries, currants, dried herbs, stones and some crushed peppercorns. It's medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Well structured, with a pure core of crunchy berries and herbs at the center. Harmonious and full of energy, with a well-composed and developing finish.

94Wine Enthusiast

...aromas of elderberry, charred meat and asphalt on the nose. The palate shows a touch of raspberry alongside spicy peppercorn flavors.

94Jeb Dunnuck

...spicy red and black cherry fruit interwoven with notions of peppery spice, leather, and dried flowers. These flow to a medium to full-bodied blend offering ripe, polished tannins and terrific overall balance.

93Decanter Magazine (points)

Ripe and yet brilliantly balanced...beautifully knit together...driven aromas of wild strawberries make way for white pepper, cool violets, and candied raspberry notes. The palate leans into bright berries, wild strawberries, clove, five spice drive forward, and envelope spiced red plum notes.

91.6CellarTracker

15.5Jancis Robinson

Tart blackberries and yogurt on the nose. On the palate the fruit quality is sweet. High, gum-climbing tannin and moderate acidity.

PRODUCER

Clos Solène

Clos Solène’s origin story is about as charming and romantic as it gets. The estate was founded in 2007 by a young French winemaker who wooed his French girlfriend with a plane ticket from France to Paso Robles and marriage proposal. Guillaume Fabre was born in Narbonne in Southwest France and comes from a family of winemakers. He worked in Bordeaux before a trip to California’s Central Coast convinced him that he’d found his new home. Fabre worked at L’Aventure in Paso Robles then brought his Solène for a visit. They had met years earlier while she was completing studies to be teacher of Spanish language and culture. Guillaume started making a few barrels of his Rhone-style wines in 2007 and by 2014 he felt confident enough in his label – which he named after his wife – to quit his job at L’Aventure and devote himself full time to Clos Solène. Fabre sources grapes from 16 vineyards in the region and produces small amounts of Syrah, Syrah-based blends, Bordeaux blends, Grenache-based blends, and Roussanne/Viognier blends. Reviews have given the wines ratings in the mid to high 90s, and noted that Fabre is one of the region’s most promising young talents.

REGION

United States, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

Paso Robles AVA is midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and it is considered one of the West Coast’s most exciting winemaking regions. With its hot, sometimes searingly dry and sunny weather, it is especially good country for growing warm climate grapes such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Because many Paso Robles wineries have been successful with blending these grapes into Rhone Valley-style wines, it is known as the Rhone zone of California. The AVA was created in 1983 and there are 32,000 vineyard acres. In late 2014 the AVA was divided into 11 smaller sub-appellations, so starting with 2015 vintages labeling will become more specific on Paso Robles wines, which will now also list sub-appellations. Located in San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles, the town and its surrounding area, was traditionally a farming and ranching region. But from a few dozen wineries in the early 1990s to more than 200 today, the area is quickly becoming known for wine and risk-taking winemakers.

VINTAGE

2021 Clos Solène Harmonie