Col Solare

Col Solare                     https://www.colsolare.com/

This is a really spectacular wine, but it is hard to find on the East Coast.  Here’s what you should know:

Piero Antinoiri (the patriarch of the family making fine wines in Tuscany, including Tignanello, since the 14th century) and Ted Baseler of Chateau Ste. Michelle agreed to make a wine to represent the very best of the Pacific Northwest  – on Red Mountain in the Columbia Valley.   They began producing wines together in 1995, combining centuries of Antinori expertise and Baseler’s local knowledge of the climate and soils.

There is a subtle richness to this wine and you can immediately know it was made with care and experience.  The flavors and aromas are a deep black cherry, some black fruit and chocolate.  The tannins are refined and give the wine a full mouthfeel.  It is quite spectacular and, I think, good value at the price.   It also has a different lineage and story to tell than a California Cab.

As for the details, it is 97% Cabernet and a touch of Cab Franc.  The wine was aged in new French oak for 22 months and the alcohol, at 14.5%, is on the high side.

Enjoy.