In light of the recent Renaissance discussion, after a crazed weekend of kids sports I had to open a newish bottle from former Renaissance winemaker, Gideon Bienstock, the 2013 Clos Saron “Stone Soup”. PnP due to timing considerations and consumed with grilled lamb chops.
The wine was delicious. The color was quite dark, though not “artificially” so. The nose was mostly savory. The finish was medium/long. Having consumed many Renaissance wines over the years, frankly I was surprised how accessible this five-year-old wine was. In terms of the syrah spectrum, I would put it somewhere between the Old and New Worlds: it had some of the power and fruit of an Alban; with also plenty of the feral qualities of a Levet; and more than a wisp of the tangy, almost puckering characteristics one associates with Cornas. Interestingly, the name notwithstanding, I did not get so much in the way of minerals. After two hours, the wine had not changed much, and shortly thereafter it was gone. As the ultimate testament, the wine was compelling enough to pull my wife (temporarily) off the paleo diet that she occasionally imposes on us.
Don’t get me wrong. This is not a Cali Chave, but IMHO very much worth a try.
92?
Thanks for the note. I’ve had a hard time keeping my hands off of these as well. As far as I can tell, Gideon’s wines don’t really seem to shut down or go through dumb phases, and I’ve never had one that I thought was too past its prime to drink.
A
The “Stone Soup” bottling has been a consistent favorite of mine from Clos Saron.
I visited Gideon last month and got a great tour of his vineyards, and also met with some other vintners who make their wine at the Clos Saron space - hoping to have a Grape-Nutz report on this ready by next week.
Photo of Stone Soup Vineyard
I have some 08 Heart of Stone at home, and try to keep my hands off them, but they really do taste like Chave…albeit, the Domaine St. Joe, which isn’t such a bad thing!
2012 Stone Soup is hard as a rock. Avoid for a long time.
P.S. Pleasant Peasant 2015 is my house red right now.
Love their wines, especially the pinots. We visited there last year - if you’re up for the long drive there, it’s so very worth it. Special place, special guy, special wines. The wine world is a better place with projects like Clos Saron in it.
The Saron Home Vineyard Pinot Noir is fantastic.
+1 on all of the above. Gideon and his winery are very unique and worth the trip to Oregon House.
The wines are very age worthy and I am always reluctant to pull one from the cellar as my oldest is 09 PN.
Thanks for the tasting note! The “Stone Soup” Syrah appears to be one of the finest examples of what the grape can do in California.
I really want to try the “Pleasant Peasant” and the variations of “Blue” red Rhône-grape blends.