2016 Clos Solene l'Insolent
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Lastly, the 2016 L'Insolent is a Bordeaux blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, from the Denner, Hawks Hill, and Brecon vineyards in Paso, that spent 22 months in new French oak barrels. Its saturated purple color is followed by a classic Cabernet nose of blackcurrants, green tobacco, bay leaf, lead pencil, and hints of espresso. Rich, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and structured, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and I suspect will be a 30-year wine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(raised in 100% new French oak) Brilliant ruby. Highly expressive, mineral- and smoke-accented cherry, cassis, potpourri and cigar box aromas show outstanding clarity and lift. Palate-staining, expansive red and dark berry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors display excellent depth and a spine of juicy acidity. Gains weight as well as energy on the extremely persistent finish, which echoes the floral qualities and leaves a vibrant echo of smoky minerality behind.
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 L'Insolent offers up aromas of minty blackcurrants, pencil shavings and creamy new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied, firm and chewy, carrying a significant payload of tannin and extract that gives me pause about its ultimate balance. If its fruit can outlast its rather strict corset of tannin, it will be better than my score indicates. Let's see how it shows from bottle.