Colagrossi Wines

2009 “Gli Amici”

Sonoma County

Cabernet Sauvignon

$55.00 a bottle 

A few weeks ago I attended an open house wine event at Inspiration Vineyards in Santa Rosa, California. There were several winemakers at this event displaying their bottles. I was able to meet owner and winemaker Craig Colagrossi of Colagrossi Wines. His Cabernet Sauvignon blew me away that afternoon. It was perfect timing meeting Craig and discovering his Cabernet that day with “National Cabernet Day” just around the corner.



So on August 30th, “National Cabernet Day”, I opened a bottle of this 2009 Sonoma County “Gli Amici” Colagrossi Cabernet Sauvignon. We opened a few different Cabernets that night but Colagrossi’s dominated the evening. 

Colagrossi’s Cabernet grapes come from the King Ridge Vineyard which is located on top of the ridge in Cazadero, California. This vineyard is very unique in it’s bowl like shaped property through which it is able to encompass it’s own little valley. The outer walls of this vineyard are lined with massive rocks that absorb the sun’s heat all day and keep the temperatures in the vineyard valley warmer at night compared to the neighboring vineyards. When harvested these Cabernet grapes are hand sorted and fermented for 13 days. Once fermented the remaining juice is placed in 50% new barrel and 50% two year old barrels for 16 months. Colagrossi 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is ready to drink now, which Craig had told me that afternoon was one of their goals in making this outstanding Cabernet. This wine is elegantly classy with aromas of bursting blackberries and clove. First tasting dark berries and slight dark cherries, then seducing the palate with it’s smooth vanilla, cinnamon finish. This Cabernet truly has it all, full of structure and extremely smooth, leaving you craving another sip. Another great Sonoma County Cabernet find. Cheers!