Winery
of the Week: Sol Rouge
The
red volcanic soil of their estate vineyards, in Lake
County, provided the inspiration for the winery's name, as Sol
Rouge means "Red Soil" in French. From this unique
terroir, winemaker Bryan Kane crafts small-production wines
that showcase the special qualities of the vines.
Here's
what our tasting panel had to say about their current offerings:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Sol
Rouge 2012 "Gypsy Blanc" Blend
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): Viognier, Marsanne, & Roussanne
Region: Lake County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of peach, apricot, and tropical fruits interweave
with hints of honeysuckle on the nose. Flavors of stone
fruits and pineapple unfold into notes of honey and white
flowers on the palate. A rich wine with a creamy mouthfeel,
fans of white Rhone blends will enjoy this bottle. 150
cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2012 Viognier
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Lake County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of peaches, tropical fruit, and orange blossoms
greets the senses. Notes of peach, tart apricot, and mango
coalesce with suggestions of minerals and white blossoms
on the palate. A crisp, floral white with a fresh acidity,
it's a fine wine for a warm afternoon. 100 cases were
made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2011 Mourvèdre
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Mourvèdre
Region: Lake County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of raspberries, plums, and blackberries mingle
with hints of pepper and minerals on the nose. The palate
reveals flavors of raspberry and blackberry that interweave
with highlights of black pepper and dusty earth. A lighter
red with lively flavors, pair a bottle with chicken or
pork fajitas. 75 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2011 "Gypsy Rouge" Blend
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 76% Grenache, 13% Mourvèdre,
4% Syrah, & 7% Other varieties
Region: Lake County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of raspberries, strawberries, and cherries are
accented by notes of spice, leather, and lavender on the
nose. A sip delivers flavors of strawberry and bramble
fruit that open up into suggestions of white pepper, minerals,
and spring flowers. A light, approachable wine with soft
tannins, fans of easy-going red blends should give this
bottle a try. 350 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2011 Syrah
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Lake County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Notes of blackberries, blueberries, and plums meld with
suggestions of smoked bacon, creamy oak and vanilla on
the nose. The palate reveals flavors of bramble fruit
and plums with accents of smoked meat, toasty oak, and
minerals. A dark, rich wine with supple tannins, enjoy
a bottle with Chicken Marsala. 250 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2011 Zinfandel
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Lake County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of raspberries and cherries mingle with nuances
of pepper and toasty oak on the nose. Flavors of cherry,
raspberry, and pomegranate come together with traces of
spice, oak, and butterscotch on the palate. A smooth wine
with lively flavors, open a bottle with your favorite
gourmet pizza. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2010 Cabernet Franc
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Franc
Region: Lake County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of cassis, blackberries, and plums combine with
hints of mild green chiles and sweet spice on the nose.
A sip reveals flavors of currant, plum, and cherry that
interweave with vanilla, all-spice, and herbaceous notes.
Dark fruit and supple tannins make this a wine to enjoy
with lamb now or age for several years in your cellar.
110 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2011 Petite Sirah
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Lake County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, blueberries, and currants
meld with highlights of pepper, cedar, and sweet spice
on the nose. The palate offers flavors of blueberry and
blackberry which unfold into nuances of herbs, all-spice,
and toasty oak. Rich tannins and concentrated flavors
make this an excellent wine to enjoy with food. Pair a
bottle with your favorite BBQ. Just 75 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price:
Review:
Blackberry, currant, and cherry aromas interweave with
traces of earth and herbs on the nose. Flavors of black
cherries, blackberries, and plums merge with notes of
vanilla, bell pepper, and fennel on the palate. A dark,
supple Cab with rich tannins, enjoy a bottle with portobello
mushroom burgers. 150 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lake County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
The nose offers aromas of blackberries, cassis, and black
cherries that are accented by hints of vanilla bean and
toasty oak. A sip delivers flavors of currants, blackberry,
and dark cherry that unfurl into suggestions of anise,
herbs, and creamy oak. A rich wine with ample tannins,
enjoy it now with food or give it a few years in your
cellar. 200 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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