Clos Solène : Hommage à nos Pairs 2015

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for Hommage à nos Pairs 2015 from Clos Solène

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a deep red hue with purplish highlights.

Nose
Complex and generous, the nose opens on intense aromas of blueberry and blackberry, accompanied by floral notes of violet. With aeration, nuances of braised meat, licorice and black pepper emerge, adding an extra dimension to the bouquet.

Palate
On the palate, this wine charms with its opulent character while maintaining remarkable restraint. The texture is broad and velvety, supported by fine, polished tannins. The palate reveals lovely density with flavors of ripe black fruit, peppery spices and licorice. The long, mineral finish reflects a perfect balance between power and elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine from Paso Robles is an ideal match for grilled or roasted red meats, lamb with Herbes de Provence, as well as game dishes. It also pairs beautifully with pasta preparations in meat sauce or grilled vegetables with mushrooms.

Serving and cellaring

Hommage à nos Pairs 2015 can be enjoyed now. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C.

A Paso Robles wine combining Californian power and Rhône refinement

The estate

Founded in 2007 by Guillaume Fabre, a sixth-generation winegrower from Languedoc-Roussillon, and his wife Solène, Clos Solène is a family estate located on the west side of Paso Robles, in California, within the Willow Creek District. Starting out with only two barrels, the estate has grown with passion. In 2017, Guillaume and Solène Fabre acquired a 28-acre vineyard, featuring ten different varieties across sixteen clones. The estate stands out for its approach inspired by French winemaking traditions, adapted to the Californian terroir, with production focused 90% on Rhône varieties.

The vineyard

Hommage à nos Pairs 2015 comes from vineyards located in Paso Robles, on the west side of the region, in the Willow Creek District. This area benefits from an exceptional terroir characterized by diverse soils including clay, limestone and shell deposits. The climate is distinguished by California’s most pronounced day-night temperature swings, reaching up to fifty degrees Fahrenheit, as well as by the moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean with its morning fog and sunny afternoons. These conditions make it possible to achieve optimal phenolic ripeness while preserving the grapes’ natural freshness.

The vintage

The year 2015 in California was marked by significant climatic contrasts. After a mild winter, a frigid spring gave way to a prolonged heatwave from mid-May to mid-August, with exceptional sunshine and periods of drought. The welcome rains at the end of August enabled optimal berry ripening, revealing remarkable generosity and balance.

Winemaking and aging

Hommage à nos Pairs 2015 was crafted using a co-fermentation method, in which the three grape varieties are vinified together rather than separately. Aging took place over twenty-three months in 300-liter French oak barrels, 75% of which were new. This approach gives the wine its refined tannic structure and integrated oak notes, while preserving the expression of the fruit.

Grape varieties

Syrah (96%), Viognier (2%), Grenache (2%)