Paso Robles has no shortage of talent, but few producers possess the combination of farming intuition, cellar finesse, and sheer passion that defines Guillaume Fabre of Clos Solène. Originally from the Languedoc in southern France, Guillaume came to California with a background in viticulture, an impeccable palate, and a dream. What he and his wife Solène have built is not just one of the most elegant expressions of Paso Robles terroir—it is a model of how precision and sensitivity can transform raw power into poise.
Guillaume’s farming is nothing short of meticulous. He is deeply involved in every aspect of the vineyard, working with diverse terroirs in the Willow Creek District and beyond. The estate’s wines are known for their richness and concentration, but what sets them apart is their restraint. These are not “Wild West” Paso reds—despite their ample structure and ripeness, they offer floral lift, delineation, and length. The 2023 barrel samples I tasted were, across the board, extraordinary. You’ll probably be hearing me talk about this vintage for the next ten years.
Clos Solène is also home to Benom, a label launched by Guillaume and his brother Arnaud Fabre as a way to continue their family’s five-generation legacy of vignerons.
It offers a fascinating complement to the main line, exploring different blends and vineyard expressions with equal care and authenticity. The brothers’ collaboration is rooted in family, and this familial bond permeates the atmosphere at Clos Solène, where Guillaume and Solène raise their children amidst the vines and barrels.
What truly sets Clos Solène apart, especially for our technically minded readers, is Guillaume’s constant pursuit of refinement. He experiments tirelessly with fermentation and aging vessels—concrete, large-format barrels, and even spherical glass globes—to moderate oxygen ingress and bring out subtle aromatic expressions. These aren’t gimmicks; each choice reflects his pursuit of balance, texture, and longevity.
And he’s not done—Guillaume is currently constructing a cave to further refine the aging environment. It’s still under development, but once complete, it promises to elevate the precision and consistency of Clos Solène’s wines even further.
Now, let me be honest. I’ve long held reservations about Cabernet Sauvignon in Paso Robles. Much of it, especially the region’s most well-known examples, leans into overextraction and sweet oak, offering little to those of us seeking character and depth. But Guillaume proved me wrong. His Bordeaux blends—crafted with the same philosophy he brings to his Rhône-style wines—are world-class. They retain Paso’s sun-drenched opulence but with far more restraint, elegance, and aromatic complexity than I thought possible in this corner of California. It’s a humbling reminder that with the right hands, even the most skeptical critics can be won over.
The 2023 vintage, in particular, appears to be a turning point for the region. The even growing season, with cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures, allowed for longer hangtime, full phenolic development, without loss of acidity. Across all varieties—Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and yes, even Cabernet—the quality is staggering. Perhaps the greatness I experienced at Clos Solène is partially due to this exceptional year, but I suspect it’s more than that. It’s the result of one man’s relentless drive to improve on what is already great.
Paso Robles is no longer a region just for Rhône blends or Zinfandel. With producers like Guillaume Fabre, it’s entering a new era—one where finesse and structure, not just size and power, define greatness.
Let the 2023s be your proof.
The wines in this tasting
All the wines in this report were tasted directly at the winery in March 2025.
