2009 Chateau Col Solare Red

The most structured and tannic of the lineup and a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Malbec that was harvested during the second week of September, the 2009 Col Solare obviously comes from a warm vintage. Offering up ripe, decadently styled aromas of blackberry, kirsch, licorice and classic Red Mountain crushed stone-like minerality (42% of the blend is from Red Mountain) on the nose, it is a big rich 2009 that has solid mid-palate depth and layers of fruit that only partially cover full-throttle tannin. Needing time to round into shape, it will benefit from another 2-3 years of bottle- age and have a solid 15+ years of overall longevity. Drink 2015-2024. A partnership with the Antinori Family, Col Solare fashions two cuvees: their top Col Solare Proprietary Red – which is more and more becoming a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend – and a Shinning Hill release which functions as a second wine, a la Bordeaux. While the 2007 and 2008 vintages were sourced from a wide range of vineyards, roughly 30% being Red Mountain fruit, the estate is moving more and more towards their estate Col Solare vineyard (purchased in 2005 with 29 acres under vine) and Red Mountain fruit, with 64% being from Red Mountain in 2010 and close to 90% (mostly from their estate vineyard) in 2011. All of the wines are aged in 100% new, mostly French oak, with the most recent 2011 seeing 100% French and previous vintages having roughly 5-10% American oak utilized for aging. The wines are classic Washington State Bordeaux blends that have ample fruit and texture as well as solid freshness and sound underlying structure. Tel. (509) 588-6806