2008 Chateau Col Solare Red

From an extended vintage that saw solid hang time, the 2008 Col Solare (67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Syrah) shows a cool, elegant profile with black currant, mineral, smoke, wild herbs and graphite along with a medium to full-bodied, fresh and pure palate. Featuring clean, integrated acidity and a layered, pure profile, it has the structure to continue evolving gracefully for another decade or more. Drink now-2023. 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