2010 Cimarone Le Clos Secret Three Creek Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 94 points

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  5/26/2013 - Dagalaifus Likes this wine: 94 Points

  The Cimarone 2010 Le Clos Secret is a Bordeaux blend made from all five varietals: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot & 5% Malbec. Its fruit is sourced from the Three Creek Vineyard in the warmer, Happy Canyon AVA. The 2010 was blended by the brilliant Andrew Murray, who makes outstanding Syrah under his eponymous label. In the glass, the wine is dark garnet with a nose of the ripest cherries. On the palate, it is fruit-forward and full-bodied with kirsch and notes of Christmas spice, caramel, cocoa, moist earth and a hint of licorice. The wine's finish is lengthy, lingering and memorable. The 2010 is approachable now, but improved with an overnight decant; so, consider cellaring it for another 3-5 years. Notwithstanding its age-worthiness, the wine has a certain vibrancy, which reminds me of a great barrel sample. To say that I was surprised and impressed with the Le Clos Secret is no understatement. In my estimation, only Star Lane vineyard, which also sources from Happy Canyon, produces Bordeaux varietals that reach this high level of quality. While I am an obvious fan of the wine, I do note that its flavor profile is most definitely New World with sweeter fruit and it veers towards Southern Rhone rather than Bordeaux, which is understandable considering its maker's pedigree.
  
  As an aside, I have been tasting Bordeaux varietals and blends from the Santa Ynez area for more than 30 years. Earlier efforts from other winemakers sourcing fruit from outside the Happy Canyon AVA were often "vegetal," -- a tasting euphemism for under-ripe wine with a pronounced green bell pepper flavor -- prompting the owners of many vineyards to replant with Rhone-style varietals. However, the climate, soil, and other tangible and intangible factors at Happy Canyon (what the French might call "Terroir"), as well as skillful viticulture and blending have combined to produce a wine without that vegetal flaw. The 2010 Le Clos Secret could serve as a new benchmark for Bordeaux blends from the Santa Ynez Valley. I am looking forward to tasting the 2012 Le Clos Secret from a warmer vintage after it's release. Look for my review of Cimarone's 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, which is also outstanding. (wine was tasted at Los Olivos tasting room Sat., May 25, 2013 and in San Francisco with the same sensory impressions on October 16, 2013).

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