Clos do Soleil to champion Malbec

Photo: Clos du Soleil winemaker Michael Clark

Malbec World Day is on April 17 each year. For whatever reason, Clos du Soleil winemaker Michael Clark delayed a month before commenting on his winery’s Malbec program this year.

Clos du Soleil is one of the most accomplished wineries in the Similkameen Valley. Since opening in 2008, it has made its reputation primarily with Bordeaux blends, both red and white. It is exciting to learn the winery now will make a big bet on Malbec.

This is what Michael wrote:

It’s safe to say that Clos du Soleil is having a Malbec moment…

1. Malbec grapes make up the largest block of our newly acquired vineyard – La Côte.

2. Malbec plays a role in our Bordeaux blends.

3. The current 2018 vintage of Clos du Soleil Rosé is made using 100% Malbec grapes. And, biggest news of all…

4. We have a very special, small-lot, wine club members only, Malbec-dominant blend coming – to be released this Fall! Clos du Soleil Winemaker’s Series 2017 Expression is a red blend made up of 63% Malbec, with the balance being Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

What’s the big deal with Malbec, and why does this once-considered-lowly grape get wine-lovers so excited? Here are a few facts which may help answer this, but the main reason is that, as with any wine, in the right hands it produces truly delicious wines.

• Say ‘Malbec’ and most people think of Argentina, but this grape variety’s origins actually lie in southwest France, where it is also known as Côt.

• An inky black grape, it is one of the varieties allowed in a Bordeaux red blend.
• Malbec wines are ridiculously good-looking, and quite distinctive, thanks to an almost opaque deep purple-red hue, and sometimes featuring a magenta rim.

• Malbec wines are delicious, displaying floral aromatic notes as well as aromas and flavours of black pepper, dense, plump dark fruits and berries, as well as notes of chocolate.

• Malbec is a wine which is bold and rich, velvety and luxuriously juicy, yet balanced with acidity and softer tannins.

Mouth watering yet? Keen to have your own Malbec moment – and drink it? Join our wine club to ensure you get a taste of the Clos du Soleil version come Fall.

Meanwhile, here are recent Clos du Soleil releases.

Clos du Soleil Winemaker’s Series Pinot Gris 2018 Whispered Secret Vineyard 2018 ($19.04 for 401 cases). The wine was fermented slowly in stainless steel and French puncheons and aged on the lees for four months. It delivers aromas and flavours of pear and nectarine, with citrus on the crisp finish. 90.

Clos du Soleil Winemaker’s Series Pinot Blanc 2018 Middle Bench Vineyard ($19.91 for 391 cases). This is a textbook Pinot Blanc. The wine was fermented in stainless steel. It is crisp and fresh, delivering aromas and flavours of apple, melon and citrus with a spine of minerality. 91.

Clos du Soleil Fumé Blanc 2018 ($18.17 for 834 cases). This is 76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Sémillon. The varieties were vinified separately in a combination of French oak puncheons and stainless steel. The wine begins with herbal aromas mingled with grapefruit. On the palate, there are flavours of lime and grapefruit. The wine is crisply dry with a zesty finish. 91.

Clos du Soleil  Célestiale 2015 ($23.39 for 50 barrels). This wine is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 7% each of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. This wine is well-made little brother to the winery’s flagship wine, called Signature. The wine begins with aromas of black currant, cherry and plum. Those are echoed on the palate, along with notes of blueberry and raspberry. The 15 months aging in French oak barrels result in a hint of cedar on the finish. 91.