Antinori Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Antinori Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a bold, polished red that captures the sun-drenched intensity of Washington’s Columbia Valley through a distinctly European lens. Crafted as a joint venture between Italian icon Antinori and Washington State pioneer Chateau Ste. Michelle, it brings together Old World finesse and New World power in a single, age-worthy bottle. First produced in 1995, Col Solare has since become a benchmark wine for the region, showcasing just how sophisticated and structured Washington Cabernet can be.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Col Solare shows a deep, opaque ruby to purple hue, promising concentration and depth. The nose opens with layers of blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry, supported by notes of dark plum, graphite, cocoa, espresso and a touch of dried herbs and cedar from quality barrel aging. Subtle hints of baking spice—clove, vanilla and nutmeg—add further complexity without overwhelming the fruit. On the palate, this is full-bodied and intense yet impeccably balanced, with ripe black fruit at the core framed by fine-grained, mature tannins. Flavors of cassis, blackberries and dark cherries mingle with notes of tobacco leaf, licorice, mocha and a mineral-tinged finish that reflects the Columbia Valley’s distinct terroir. Cabernet Franc brings a lift of floral perfume and savory nuance. The structure, vibrant acidity and concentration suggest excellent aging potential; this 2019 can be enjoyed now with a generous decant, but will reward 10–15 years of cellaring, developing greater complexity, softness and tertiary notes of leather, truffle and cigar box over time.

Production
Col Solare is sourced from premier vineyard sites across Washington’s Columbia Valley, an area defined by long, sun-filled days, cool nights and predominantly loess-based soils that promote excellent drainage and flavor concentration. The hot summers help the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc achieve full physiological ripeness, while cold winters allow the vines a deep rest, preserving varietal purity and structure. Grapes are typically harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, parcel by parcel, to maintain quality and selectivity. In the cellar, modern technology is married with traditional Tuscan know-how: the fruit is carefully sorted, then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve aromatics and structure. Extended maceration helps build color and tannin, followed by aging in predominantly French oak barriques (often a significant portion new) to integrate tannins, add complexity and shape the wine into a refined, long-lived expression of Columbia Valley Cabernet.

Food & Serving
This 2019 Col Solare is a natural partner for richly flavored, protein-driven dishes. Think grilled or roasted ribeye, côte de boeuf, lamb chops with rosemary, braised short ribs, venison or slow-cooked beef ragù. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino or mature Gouda, and with earthy dishes featuring mushrooms or truffles. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatics and structure. Decant for 1–2 hours in its youth to soften the tannins and allow the bouquet to fully unfold; as the wine evolves with age, a shorter decant of around 30 minutes will generally suffice to bring it to its expressive best.

Producer
Col Solare is the result of a visionary partnership between Marchesi Antinori—one of Italy’s most historic and influential wine families, with over six centuries of winemaking in Tuscany—and Chateau Ste. Michelle, a founding estate of modern Washington wine. Launched with the 1995 vintage, the project was conceived to harness the untapped potential of Columbia Valley for world-class, Bordeaux-style reds, uniting Antinori’s deep expertise and innovative spirit with Chateau Ste. Michelle’s intimate knowledge of local vineyards. Over the years, Col Solare has become a flagship for Washington State, frequently earning critical acclaim and helping elevate the region’s reputation on the global stage as a source of powerful yet refined Cabernet-based wines.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.