Clos Solène : Harmonie 2017

Characteristics and tasting advice for Clos Solène's Harmonie 2017

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a moderately intense ruby hue, reflecting moderate concentration and elegant transparency.

Nose

The nose opens with concentrated aromas of dried cranberries and red cherries, alongside notes of raspberry jam and strawberries. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward nuances of blueberry coulis and minerality. Floral notes of red fruits mingle with smoky and spicy touches, while aromas of orange peel, cigar box, and earth add tertiary complexity.

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals a silky, refined texture, defined by lovely balance. The structure rests on light tannins typical of Grenache, supported by bright acidity and red-fruit flavors. Mourvèdre brings mid-palate volume, while Syrah contributes notes of black fruit, spice, and tannic structure. Flavors of pomegranate, tart cherry, blood orange zest, and saline minerality come through. The finish lingers elegantly, revealing mineral and spicy characters.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with white meats, poultry, and preparations featuring lighter red meats. It also goes very well with seafood, fish, and Mediterranean dishes with fresh herbs. Provençal preparations with garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes, as well as fresh or aged goat cheeses and sheep cheeses, make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Harmonie 2017 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 15 and 16°C. Decanting beforehand allows the wine to open fully and reveal all of its aromatic complexity. While it is delicious now, this wine has cellaring potential of at least a decade.

A Paso Robles wine combining finesse and an expression of California terroir

The estate

Founded in 2007 by Guillaume Fabre, a sixth-generation winegrower whose family has been practicing viticulture since 1605, Clos Solène is a boutique family estate located in the prestigious Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, California. Guillaume and his wife Solène now run this 27-acre property, including 8 acres of vines, with their three children. The estate stands out for its artisanal approach that favors quality over quantity, with a small production sold primarily direct to club members and private clients. Clos Solène embodies the meeting point between age-old French winemaking traditions and the expression of California terroir.

The vineyard

The grapes for Harmonie 2017 come from carefully selected plots on the western side of Paso Robles, mainly in the Willow Creek District. These vineyards benefit from exceptional southwestern exposure and characteristic soils rich in limestone and “floating rocks,” light and soluble formations resulting from ancient marine deposits. The region’s climate is distinguished by pronounced diurnal temperature swings that can reach 25°C between day and night, among the most significant in California. These conditions, combined with cool nights, foggy mornings, and warm days under the influence of the Pacific Ocean, promote extended ripening and the development of complex aromatic profiles.

The vintage

The 2017 vintage was produced during a transitional period for Clos Solène, just after the acquisition of the Pipestone property but before the estate’s plantings reached full maturity. The grapes therefore come from leased parcels in the Willow Creek and Adelaida districts, particularly well suited to expressing Rhône varieties.

Winemaking and aging

Harmonie 2017 was aged primarily in old foudres, large traditional wooden vats that impart minimal oak character while allowing slow oxidative development. This choice of older, relatively neutral vessels favors the expression of fruit and terroir rather than aromas derived from new oak, in keeping with contemporary winemaking practices for high-end Rhône-style wines.

Grape varieties

Grenache (67 %)
Mourvèdre (18 %)
Syrah (15 %)