Red Mountain
After our wonderful visits to Hedges and Col Solare, we stopped by Fidelitas, also located on Red Mountain. The tasting room is spacious and modern with all the focus on the vines and the view. There are tables and chairs outdoors so that you can drink in the view along with your wine.
Charlie Hoppes is the owner and winemaker. He has been involved in winemaking since the 1980’s and has worked along side such notables as Dick Boushey, Mike Januik and the Antinori family. He has been the red winemaker at Canoe Ridge and also Three Rivers Winery.
Tammy was pouring for us the day we visited. She did an OK job, maybe a bit of a let down after the stellar service we received at Col Solare. She did not have very much information about the wine or the winery.
The wines were excellent. We tasted the following:
2015 Klipsun Vineyard Semillion – $22 – This is a very nice summer wine. It is a dry white with a bend of Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc.
3013 Champoux Merlot – $50 – Very thick and juicy. It was a favorite of our group.
2013 Red Mountain Malbec – $40 – Fruity with some pepper. Has a very nice finish.
2013 Optu Red Mountain – $50 – We were told this is Charlie Hoopes (the winemaker / owner) signature wine. I thought that this was good but would really benefit from 5-10 years of cellaring to smooth off the rough edges.
2012 Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon – $65 – In my opinion, this is the most elegant wine that Fidelitas produces. Of course I had to have a couple of bottles for future research. There is a subtle floral aroma and a bit of fig. Delicious!
Susan’s Score – Definitely worth a stop if you are on Red Mountain. Take the time to relax and enjoy the view with a glass of fabulous red wine.