Col Solare spotlight
The official Col Solare channel presents the Red Mountain estate, the Antinori and Ste Michelle joint venture behind this Columbia Valley red.
The market on this bottle
Wine-Searcher tracks this 2020 Col Solare Red Wine Columbia Valley across the open market. Their published U.S. low is $70.61 and the average is $83.94. Our slash is $70.00.
2020 Col Solare Red Wine Columbia Valley, USA
Stephanie Cohen and Renzo Cotarella's shining-hill red, Antinori craft on Red Mountain, a 2020 you can open at seventy dollars.
The 2020 Col Solare is a Cabernet-led Columbia Valley red from Quintessence, Shaw, and the estate vineyard: black currant, violet, cedar, cacao, now $70.
Tuscany's Antinori, Washington's shining hill
Col Solare means shining hill. Marchesi Antinori and Chateau Ste. Michelle built it to ask what happens when a Tuscan house takes Red Mountain seriously. The 2020 draws Quintessence, Shaw, and estate fruit, then 22 months in 100 percent new French oak. Wine Advocate found dark fruit, dusty florals, and a finish that keeps unpacking. This is Washington Cabernet craft with an Italian accent.
The house
A 1995 joint venture between Marchesi Antinori and Chateau Ste. Michelle. The dedicated Red Mountain winery opened in 2007. Antinori took full ownership in 2024.
The wine
Cabernet-led Columbia Valley red with Merlot and Syrah in the house language. Red Mountain fruit, new French oak, mountain tannin.
The scores
James Suckling 97. Jeb Dunnuck 97. Wine Advocate 96. Decanter 95.
The drinker
Cassis and violet first. Decant 60 to 90 minutes. Serve near 62 F. Short ribs or herb-crusted lamb.
Dark fruit, garrigue, then crushed stone
Decanter wrote violet, lavender, sage, black currant, black tea, and crushed stone. Wine Advocate found spiced cherry, plum skin, and blackberry with a tannic edge. The oak is architecture: espresso, cedar, chocolate, not a blanket.
A hard Washington year that rewarded selection. Smaller clusters, intense color, fruit that stays generous without losing verve. The 2020 wants a decant now and can hold into the early 2030s.
Black currant, red cherry, plum, violet, lavender, sage.
Full, refined tannin, 22 months new French oak, mountain grip with floral lift.
Cacao, pencil shavings, crushed stone. Decant 60 to 90 minutes. Serve 60 to 64 F.
Red Mountain fruit, then a long stay in new French oak
Wine Advocate notes grapes from Quintessence, Col Solare Estate, and Shaw, then 22 months in 100 percent new French oak. Stephanie Cohen, promoted to head winemaker in 2022, works with Renzo Cotarella of Antinori. Lower fermentation temperatures and gentle cap work keep the 2020 juicy and firm instead of brooding.
The estate vineyard on Red Mountain was planted to Antinori specifications. Cabernet leads. Merlot and Syrah are part of the house language on this Columbia Valley label.
Decant an hour. The floral and mineral side needs air as much as the dark fruit does.
Two houses, one shining hill
Andre Tchelistcheff told Piero Antinori to look at Washington. Col Solare is what happened next.
The first vintage was 1995. The dedicated winery on Red Mountain opened in 2007. The name is Italian for shining hill.
Chateau Ste. Michelle brought Washington knowledge. Antinori brought restraint and a Tuscan sense of blend. In 2024 Antinori took full ownership.
Stephanie Cohen and Renzo Cotarella now shape the wines. The 2020 is that partnership in one Cabernet-led bottle.
Braised beef, lamb, and herb
Col Solare wants slow heat, rosemary, and enough richness to meet Red Mountain tannin.
Two plates. One red-wine braised short rib. One herb-crusted rack of lamb. Both can take this 2020.
Decant 60 to 90 minutes. Serve 60 to 64 F. The floral and mineral notes need air.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Glossy beef, slow heat, and pan sauce meet cassis, cedar, and mountain tannin.
Why it works: Collagen softens the oak frame. Herbs echo sage and garrigue in the wine.
View Recipe for red wine braised short ribs (opens in a new tab)
Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
Rosemary, garlic, and lamb fat are the winery table in one plate.
Why it works: Herb crust matches violet and sage. Lamb richness meets refined tannin.
View Recipe for herb-crusted rack of lamb (opens in a new tab)Put Col Solare in the cart
Antinori on Red Mountain, James Suckling 97, Jeb Dunnuck 97, Wine Advocate 96, 22 months new French oak. Seventy dollars.
Put it in the cart. This is the shining-hill red for a winter dinner and a cellar that wants Washington with Tuscan manners.
