On the first day of summer, 2019, I was compelled to visit my friends on Red Mountain once again.  My first stop of the day was at Fidélitas.  I needed to check in with my old friend Bryce Appleby, and also say hello to Alexandra Hager.  It was cooler than anticipated and a little overcast, but as per always…it was a fantastic tasting of Red Mountain’s finest.  The 2016 Quintessence Cabernet Sauvignon was drinking very nicely on this fine day.

My second stop was at Col Solare, atop the Mountain of Red.  The ladies of Col Solare were more than accommodating, and they treated me like royalty!  Today the lineup (of Reds) included the 2016 Shining Hill, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2015 Component Collection Cabernet Franc.  All unique and really delicious.  This is why I’m a club member at this wine palace.  Everything I drink is exquisite!  Thank you Darel Allwine!  Before I left I was lucky enough to get a photo with Mitzi, Lisa and Jenn before I headed down the mountain.

The final stop of the day was Frichette Winery where Jay (Mr. Frichette Sr.) served me a nice lineup including a side-by-side of the Quintessence Cab and the Ciel du Cheval Cab.  Really nice contrast between these two great wines.  The former is really approachable and slightly fruit forward while the latter is more tannic with so much aging potential it’s begging me to store a few bottles in my cellar.  Both are delicious and elegant in their own way.  Nicely done Greg and Shae!  I had to buy 4 bottles of the fortified (Port Style) Red Zinfandel…I was running low and was planning to smoke a cigar with my brother on my way home.  Perfect timing!