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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.1 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 105 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by redz on 6/18/2023 & rated 92 points: Had late in the night, but very good, smooth and dark, aging well. (484 views) | | | Tasted by oakville72 on 10/31/2022 & rated 91 points: Great color. Still quite young, even unintegrated with angular oak and fruit. Still has a way to go. (936 views) | | | Tasted by srwatters on 3/8/2022 & rated 94 points: Drinking perfectly right now. Just the slightest bricking on the meniscus. Lovely muted nose with a hint of leather and earth. Oak is completely integrated with just enough acidity. So happy to have acquired a couple of these recently (1399 views) | | | Tasted by catowne1 on 12/31/2021 & rated 93 points: Still holding on strong. Perfect drinking time. (1549 views) | | | Tasted by vieillevigne on 2/22/2021 & rated 90 points: Surprisingly good. Still lots of fruit and structure. Last of the lot, and sorry that there isn’t more. (1931 views) | | | Tasted by jww on 3/14/2020 & rated 90 points: Nice wine drinking well now (1927 views) | | | Tasted by DaneM on 3/13/2020: In really good shape, soft flavors. Drink up! (1611 views) | | | Tasted by rfras on 12/29/2017 & rated 92 points: Amazingly vibrant. Still has ample red fruits with some notes of vanilla. Smooth silky finish. It was worth the wait. (3569 views) | | | Tasted by JSolo on 12/25/2017 & rated 90 points: Surprised that this one still had some life; however, it was actually pretty good. Also tasted by others at dinner party and all agreed that it was good. My last bottle. (3279 views) | | | Tasted by JSolo on 3/12/2017 & rated 85 points: Past its prime. (4587 views) | | | Tasted by prism on 5/22/2016 & rated 91 points: Decanted for an hour. Lovely and soft; a nice amount of fruit. (5576 views) | | | Tasted by stevenjstein on 5/25/2015 & rated 94 points: Good balance and acidity. Fruit holding up well. (7117 views) | | | Tasted by Sbvero on 7/26/2014 & rated 91 points: Enjoyable bottle. This was the third bottle that I have tried. Did not really care for the first two but I think that time finally smoothed this one out. Now I am a fan of Col Solare but do I really want to wait ten years? (6278 views) | | | Tasted by Timbalimba on 4/5/2014 & rated 88 points: Riper than '02, '03, and '06, a lot more fruit, but incredibly tannic at this stage. Difficult to judge. Will it come around? (6451 views) | | | Tasted by team-blackburn on 8/21/2013 & rated 92 points: This was the second bottle of the night, first had 2006 Nicholas Cole Michele while eating pizza & watching Monday Night football. PNP and left to air out in the glass until halftime. Soft lush fruit that's well balanced not much oak or tannins. This surprised me as my last bottle needed 6 hours to open up. I still see this as a special occasion wine not sure I'd pay the list price, can be purchased under $50 at COSTCO. (6306 views) | | | Tasted by candyman on 6/22/2013: very good (5503 views) | | | Tasted by team-blackburn on 5/20/2013 & rated 92 points: Still has lots of tannins needs long decant, well worth the wait. (4955 views) | | | Tasted by drgrape on 4/7/2013 & rated 90 points: The wine looks Ruby colored. It tastes like Black Pepper, and Strawberry Jam. The body is Medium. (4320 views) | | | Tasted by mlawren1 on 12/31/2012 & rated 92 points: Wine is in a great place right now. Rich nose with a mouth full of cherry, black berry, and plum. Finishes with some herb and meat. Was perfect for NYE meatball fest. (4475 views) | | | Tasted by corkscrews on 12/16/2012 & rated 91 points: A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark purple in color. A full bodied Bordeaux red blend, with blackberry, currant, blueberry, some mineral and spice on finish, good stuff. (3633 views) | | | Tasted by saxual on 7/17/2012: @ Bistro Bafi in Burien with Kari. Quite good structure-- held up to the arribiata sauce and the rest of the pasta well, so I'd say it was a success for the course, though by no means a 'classic', it is one of two bottles I have and I think I'll wait until 2016 or so on it-- it seems like it should develop by then. 91 points. (3937 views) | | | Tasted by W2WineGuy on 3/20/2012 & rated 88 points: Nice wine, a bit mellow though in the tannins. Well integrated, nice nose, medium finish, but time to drink up (4276 views) | | | Tasted by PackerJon on 1/13/2012 & rated 93 points: Just a phenomenal aroma in the glass, near perfect. Wine was delicious as one would expect given the nose. Was my last bottle of 3, sad to be out, but what a wonderful way to finish! (4630 views) | | | Tasted by tarheel17 on 1/8/2012 flawed bottle: *sigh*
having some bad luck with col solare. Had the 2004 two Christmases ago and it was phenomenal. Gave the 2006 and 2005 a whirl, but neither compared. Finally tracked down another 2004..and it's got a volatile acidity problem. Drinkable, but nothing like the one from 2010. The nose held the same promise, but the palate was tainted. (4259 views) | | | Tasted by johnnyo on 7/1/2011 & rated 91 points: Very nice wine. Well balanced though a bit tight at first. After 30 minutes it really opened up nicely (5260 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (1/21/2010)
(Col Solare Columbia Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2007, IWC Issue #135
(Chateau Ste. Michelle Col Solare Red Wine Columbia Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and 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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