2022 Clos Solene Cuvée Jean
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Tasting notes
As I noted in my review from barrel last year, the 2022 Cuvée Jean is based around the Z Block at Bien Nacido and includes 2% Viognier and 1% Grenache. The nose is a classically proportioned medley of beautiful dark fruit aromas framed with black pepper, grilled meats and saline lift, with its subtle Viognier component providing a welcome floral quality. The palate is seamless and savory, with enough body to remind one of its California origins but enough tense, upright posture to show its Old World influence. The finish is savory, chalky and high-toned yet avoids the austerity that can accompany this vintage in the Central Coast.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
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From one of the greatest sites in Santa Maria for Syrah (Bien Nacido), the 2022 Cuvee Jean has a ruby/purple hue and Cornas-like black and blue fruits, violets, spice, and gamey, peppery nuances. Based on 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, aged in 35% new French 300-liter barrels for 22 months, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. This classy, old school, vibrant, complex, sensational Syrah will keep for 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040. One of the top talents in Paso Robles, Guillaume Fabre worked at L’Aventure before launching Clos Solène in 2007. About seven years ago, he and his wife Solène bought a thirty-acre limestone site on Willow Creek Road at roughly 1,300 feet; it is farmed organically, and a new cave system under the property is nearly finished. Estate fruit now anchors the lineup, but it is supplemented by parcels from James Berry, G2, Hoyt, and Bien Nacido in Santa Maria Valley. The wines span the Roussanne-based Hommage Blanc, Grenache-led El Toro and Harmonie, Syrah-focused Hommage à Nos Pairs and Bien Nacido Cuvée Jean, the Cabernet-driven L’Insolent, the mixed variety Fleur de Solène, and the barrel selection Mon Millésime. Reds generally age 16-22 months in varying levels of new French oak. These are classic, impeccably made wines, rich yet structured, with seamless textures and beautiful overall balance, and Clos Solène is becoming a reference point for age-worthy wines from the region.
The 2022 Cuvée Jean, tasted from barrel, is deeply perfumed with cedar spice box, incense, dried roses and red currants forming its bouquet. This is still quite primary and intense, with ultra-ripe red and black fruits that saturate as saline mineral and savory herbal tones amass toward the close. It leaves the palate reeling with youthful tension as a tannic bite clamps down hard and a resonance of exotic spice lingers. Tasted from barrel.
The 2022 Syrah Cuvee Jean opens with a savory blend of green olives, sage, white pepper and wet stones. Soft and supple on the palate, it reveals mineral-infused fruit and an herbal thrust toward the close. Blackberry echoes linger with a salty sensation as this finishes long and unexpectedly fresh.