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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.6 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 47 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by NoWineWiz on 6/17/2018 & rated 92 points: PnP. Silky smooth with dark berries and cherry, with hints of mocha & tobacco. Soft tannins and a medium long finish. (1826 views) | | | Tasted by bCloud09c on 8/10/2017 & rated 95 points: Licorice and wet leather nose. Medium body, long finish evolving from tobacco to chocolate. Phenomenal wine. (2687 views) | | | Tasted by AJGalvin on 4/5/2017 & rated 92 points: Oaky. Smooth. Delightful. (2995 views) | | | Tasted by AJGalvin on 2/23/2017 & rated 93 points: Fabulous. Perfect brick color. Earthy notes. Smooth. (3092 views) | | | Tasted by Kris G on 5/29/2014 & rated 90 points: very dark color, well balanced, fresh fruits (5580 views) | | | Tasted by Zweder on 5/13/2013: Weekly tasting group #071; a mixed set of white and red wines. (@ DJ): Beautiful bouquet with a touch of barnyard. Juicy fruits, silky soft tannin and a lot of sweetness. I had the impression the bottle showed slightly corked impressions on the palate, but not serious enough for not tasting it. Nevertheless I don't score it. (4352 views) | | | Tasted by vegaswino on 12/6/2012 & rated 88 points: - Brick color with medium forming legs and aromas of black currant and has flavours of black pepper - Opened with an Italian dinner the other night. Well-aged, balanced. Lots of sediment. Slightly hot at first, mellowed nicely over course of dinner. Nice fruit, complimented dinner well. I think there are much better wines for he price (based on my palate). Would not hesitate to buy another bottle at a discounted price. (4370 views) | | | Tasted by vegaswino on 12/6/2012: - Garnet color. (4896 views) | | | Tasted by haBu on 11/23/2012 & rated 89 points: Black Friday Tradition, one something that I have been saving. Bit of pencil lead and pepper, dark in color. This bottle had no wow factor, however good, I think I missed it's peak (4036 views) | | | Tasted by vegasoenophile on 5/26/2012 & rated 91 points: Dark. Red, black and blue fruit on the nose. Rich and coating on the palate with flavors of purple, blue and black berry fruit. Plum. Light pepper notes. Rich and luscious. (2867 views) | | | Tasted by Winiac on 6/3/2011 & rated 90 points: Very dark ruby with the orange ring clearly seen on the edge. The bottle has some sediment. Nice bouquet of green pepper and licorice. Well balanced on the palate with good acidity and tannin. Short length and pleasant finish. Still has 1-2 year life in it. (3608 views) | | | Tasted by Porchino on 1/16/2011 & rated 88 points: nothing out of ordinary (2756 views) | | | Tasted by prettydeceextrap on 12/28/2010 & rated 73 points: (C-) Honestly, just not there anymore. Not sure I can blame this one on a bad bottle or storage, as there was nothing wrong with the wine. It just didn't make it. After ~4 hours, the wine finally revealed what I assume is a shadow of what it once was ... graphite, a little oak, and very light blue fruit. I would probably wait in hopes of a miraculous re-emergence if I had more. (2845 views) | | | Tasted by scott davis on 12/17/2010 & rated 91 points: Dark purple and brown in color, the nose offers up perfumed notes of blackberry liqueur and graphite. Ripe black currants, new leather, pencil lead, and mocha comprise the palate. Medium bodied, with a nice texture and an understated, elegant finish. Layered and ripe, with crisp acidity and enough tannin to easily carry the wine through another 4-5 years. (2954 views) | | | Tasted by sawilli4 on 10/9/2010 & rated 92 points: Great wine! (2998 views) | | | Tasted by bobpsi on 5/10/2010 & rated 91 points: Took a while to open up, when it did it had a really nice nose of dark fruit, mocha and vanilla. On the palete it started out with some earthy tones and transitioned to some dark fruit flavors on the midpalete with a hint of bell pepper and a nice long sweet caramel finish. Really drinking well. (3255 views) | | | Tasted by edjBoca on 11/27/2009 & rated 89 points: Thanksgiving dinner wine. I enjoyed this and it has soothed out a good deal over the years that I have owned these. There are still some tanins in the finish, This was enjoyed most by the California cabernet drinkers. I thought it was good, but the medium-bodied fruit was not that interesting now that the coarse structure has receded to a great degree. (3381 views) | | | Tasted by vanpe003 on 5/22/2009 & rated 90 points: Drinking very well now. As others have mentioned, notes of pencil lead and chocolate on a medium bodied palate. Finishes with some acidity. (3572 views) | | | Tasted by ccn on 11/22/2008 & rated 89 points: Medium-bodied wine with red fruits, cassis, very slightly chocolate (from the merlot); balanced and fairly soft though with distinct acidity towards the end. Drinking nicely now; this should drink comfortably another 5 years but not sure it will improve significantly. (3697 views) | | | Tasted by winelovr2001 on 10/11/2008 & rated 93 points: Nice dark fruits and gripping tannins. Cassis, sage, and blackberry, and oak. Very nice and still a little closed. (3722 views) | | | Tasted by winelovr2001 on 8/16/2008 & rated 93 points: Showing pencil lead, cassis, sage, and blackberry. Probably will peak in a couple years, but brilliant now. (3707 views) | | | Tasted by johnnyo on 8/11/2008 & rated 92 points: A great well balanced blend with a long finish. (3705 views) | | | Tasted by SoCal on 8/7/2008 & rated 90 points: Had this from a 375ml. Dark purple color with very little sign of aging. Nose of cherries and blackberries dusted with coco powder. The palate expresses cherries, coffee, and oak. The finish dark chocolate like but there is some heat on the back end (14.2%). Overall this wine showing quite well striking a harmony that is enjoyable. The tannins have softened and it is starting to reveal complexity I will give few more years. (3657 views) | | | Tasted by jrglm on 7/11/2008 & rated 91 points: Very sophisticated, well structured wine. (3751 views) | | | Tasted by winelovr2001 on 5/31/2008 & rated 94 points: Firmly tannic and still tight at this time. This wine shows black truffles, tar, anise, and blackberry. Great balance and showing just traces of what it has to offer. (3888 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2004, IWC Issue #117
(Chateau Ste. Michelle Red Wine Col Solare Columbia Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Col Solare Producer WebsiteRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Columbia Valley Columbia Valley Winery Association |
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