Clos Saron, Sierra Foothills (California) 2010

May 31, 2012

By W. Blake Gray

 This is Clos Saron’s first-ever wine that’s not from Gideon Bienstock’s home vineyard in the Sierra Foothills; it’s 89% Cinsault from the 127-year-old Bechthold vineyard cofermented with 11% Syrah from Clos Saron’s estate vineyard. Every time you sip this wine, it bursts into your mouth with freshness. It’s so lively that it’s like smelling salts at the dinner table, able to awaken your palate after the heaviest of courses. The fruit is bing cherry, and there are some floral and herbal notes on the nose, but the main quality is that liveliness, so I would drink this right away. But I admit that I hope Bienstock holds back some of the 120 cases he made, just out of curiosity.

Country / Region

California

Appellation

Sierra Foothills

Grape Variety

Color

Red

Vintage

2010

Score

94

Price

US $ 25.00

Producer

Clos Saron