Okanagan Trip begins in the Similkameen with our first ever visit to Clos du Soleil !!

Our annual late-April trip to celebrate the birthday of one of our best friends (and we let his wife tag along too!). This year we were heading to Oliver and Osoyoos, stopping at a couple of Similkameen wineries on the way. As we were arriving here right around lunch time, and food options in this part of the world are limited, to put it mildly, we brought a picnic lunch to enjoy outside. More on that later......

Clos du Soleil 2015 Capella ($27.90)

80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon

Light, fresh aromas of lemon lime and white grapefruit. Intense flavors of quince, asian pear, lemon and lime. Vibrant acidity. Clos du Soleil 2016 Fumé Blanc ($20.90) Passionfruit dominates the nose, with hints of white grapefruit and pineapple lurking. Tropical fruit, red apple and generous minerality on the long finish. Clos du Soleil 2016 Semillon ($24.90) Citrus all over the nose and the palate, which could almost be described as "tart". Flavors of quince and pear come through as well. Clos du Soleil 2014 Celestial ($26.90) Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot/Malbec Bright red cherry and perfume dance together on the nose. The aromatics give way to black cherry, black plum and some spicy notes on the long finish. Very tasty, and a nice everyday red wine for the price. Clos du Soleil 2014 Signature ($44.90) Intoxicating blackberry, black pepper and cedar on the nose. Red fruit all day on the palate; cherry, raspberry and red currant. Delicious, and still has more to give. I'm putting mine down for a couple of years. Clos du Soleil 2014 Saturn ($28.90) Late harvest features strong aromas of orange marmalade and peaches. On the palate, you'll notice honey, peaches, lemon, lime and vanilla flavors. After the tasting we headed outside into one of the great windstorms I have ever experienced and sat down with a bottle of Fumé Blanc to enjoy our picnic lunch....putting something heavy on all the food so it wouldn't fly away. They don't have what you would call a "designated" picnic spot, just a bunch of chairs and tables or picnic benches throughout the grounds. A very nice way to begin what we knew would be a fantastic trip! Next up, just down the road to Vanessa Vineyards!