Col Solare Red Wine

The 2015 Col Solare is the first vintage that they have utilized 100% Cabernet Sauvignon for this wine. Prior to bottling the wine saw 100% new French oak for 21 months. The oaky influence is secondary to the hedonistic aromas of wild blackberry cordial, mocha and crushed mint that build in the glass. There is a feeling of decadence on the palate as the toasty oak wraps around the silky mouthfeel. The plush texture delights, as does the black fruit flavors that combine with black tea, espresso bean and chocolate fudge. While this is not my favorite rendition of Col Solare, considering the heat spikes and challenges presented during this vintage, particularly at hotter sites like Red Mountain, this is an exceptional effort.

Cabernet Sauvignon (88%) takes the lead on this wine, with the balance Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. Aromas of blackberry, blue fruit, flowers and barrel spice are followed by pitch-black-fruit flavors. Lightly chewy tannins provide some heft but have room to broaden.

Platz 58

This wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. Reserved aromas of toast, high-toned herbs, coffee and blue and black fruit lead to dense, rich, structured dark fruit flavors that show depth along with vibrant acidity and a long finish. This wine is built for the long haul and will be best from 2021–2028.

This is Col Solare's first release to be designated from Red Mountain, with its estate vineyard making upof the blend. Principally Cabernet Sauvignon along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, the wine features notes of red and black fruit, high-toned herbs, chocolate and barrel spices. It shows a good mixture of elegance and power with a supple feel and well structured tannins. Best from 2018 to 2023.

Made fromCabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec sprinkled in, this wine starts out quite reticent, with notes of scorched earth, mocha, herbs, woodspice and cherry. It's full bodied and very tightly wound at present, with firm, chalky tannins that need significant time in the cellar to stretch their legs. Best after 2018.

Vineyard sources for Col Solare are evolving as the recently planted estate vineyard comes into bearing. This vintage incorporates fruit from several Red Mountain vineyards, though not Col Solare itself, along with lots from elsewhere around the state. Toasty and full-bodied, two-thirds Cabernet, the rest Merlot, Cab Franc and Syrah, this is a nicely blended wine but not yet showing the precision and structural detail of the superTuscans it is modeled upon.

Col Solare, the collaboration between Ste. Michelle and Antinori, brought in the first estate grapes this year, but it will be awhile before it becomes an estate wine. The current vintage uses five varieties from a half dozen vineyards scattered across four different AVAs. It's soft, fruity and open, with a firm core of black fruits wrapped into lightly smoky, polished tannins.

The latest Col Solare is a 71/25/4 mix of cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc. Look for a quiet almost Euro nose of black cherry, berry and black cherry jam with bits of coffee, pepper, liquorice and vanilla. Dry, rich, somewhat tight palate with grainy tannins and good acidity. Cassis, black cherry, floral coffee flavours flecked with vanilla, clove, cedar, tobacco, dried herbs, pepper and mineral notes round out the wine. It is a tad warm on the finish but has good acidity and fruit intensity with fine aromatics. Needs 3-5 years to fully soften. (Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe).

The latest Col Solare at 80 per cent cabernet offer up a mix of cassis, leather, chocolate, black olive, mocha, cedar, tobacco and savoury coriander aromas. The textures are rich and dry with light, grippy tannins. More tobacco, pepper, vanilla, cassis, orange peel and plum flavours mark the palate with an herbal, clove finish. A bit young and grippy at this point. Needs another two to five years in bottle to round out. (Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe).

Cherry, vanilla cola, peppery, gamey, blackberry, clove and cassis aromas. Rich, concentrated and round with very ripe blackberry, cassis jam, peppery, spicy clove flavours and a long vanilla, tobacco, licorice finish. A bit hot but very nice intensity with good fruit and spice components. (Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe).

This partnership between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Antinori is always a quality wine. The '99 is a blend ofCabernet SauvignonMerlotSyrah andMalbec. The classic cassis and chocolate aromas have an accent of caramel. Flavors include intense black currants and a touch of spice. The wine is as elegant as it is deep, with a long, complex finish. Editors' Choice. —C.S.