Solesce – Latin for “sun” and “essence” – is Brian Carter’s flagship wine, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

Brian Carter began making wine in Washington in 1980 for Paul Thomas Winery. In 1988, he started Apex Winery. Brian Carter Cellars was incorporated in 2004 after seven years of making wine out of the Apex facility.
Wines:
Score

 Name

 Notes

 $

**

 Brian Carter Cellars Solesce 1999

 An expressive nose with earth, dried fruit, rose petals, and a potpourri of spices. Beautifully put together with an incredible dose of cranberry that comes on in the mid-palate and remains through the finish. An elegant collision of old and new world styles. Close to its peak.

Sampled at 62 degrees. Purchased from the winery.

 NA

+

 Brian Carter Solesce 2000

 Bright maraschino cherry, light mint, floral notes, and a generous amount of white pepper. The nose is subtle, pretty, and interesting but doesn’t deliver quite as much as I would like for a wine its age. Fairly forward on the palate and then trails and lingers. Tannins still have a lot of firmness. Improves a bit after one hour of decanting.

Sampled at 62 degrees. Purchased from the winery.

 NA