Does the name Charles Smith ring a bell? Well, perhaps if we mention a couple of his highly sought after wines like K Vintners (which often scores 100 points) or Charles Smith Wines...it will start to click.
Growing up just outside of Sacramento, California, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Charles Smith began craving worldly travel at a young age due to his Welsh mother and French father. Charles spent nine years managing rock bands and concert tours throughout Europe before returning to the United States to immerse himself in the emerging music scene in Seattle Washington. Having been previously bitten by the wine bug, he opened up a wine shop on Bainbridge Island, but Charles was compelled to create the wines, not just to sell them.
A chance road trip to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1999 gave Charles that opportunity. He watched, listened, absorbed. Most importantly, he created. With almost nothing in his pockets, Charles Smith found a way to produce his first vintage...the aforementioned 330 cases of 1999 K Syrah. Charles sold these cases out of the back of his Astro Van...and the rest became history. Since then, Charles has received 198 scores of 95 points and above and 768 scores of 90 points and above! He has also earned:
JEB DUNNUCK 90-92 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs is going to be another terrific value from this team. Cassis, blackberries, sage, tobacco, and leafy herb notes all define the aromatics, and it’s medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant on the palate. It’s going to shine right out of the gate."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 90 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon CS lifts from the glass with a dark burst of mocha, espresso and balsamic spice. It’s surprisingly juicy and fresh, with crisp red and black fruits and hints of tobacco that form toward the close. It finishes grippy and long, with a pleasantly chewy sensation—neither tannic nor cloying."
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "Opening to classic Cabernet notes on the nose, with a fresh frame of blackberry, dark cherry and dusty plum, the 2021 Cs Cabernet Sauvignon is juicy and floral with hints of savory herbs and brown baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, it is firm, focused and fresh on the palate, with elegance, focus, grace and a balanced structures. This is quite impressive for the price and number of bottles produced. Over 2.4 million bottles were made after the wine rested for about a year on the lees, and it boasts a soft shine from aging in 25% new French oak. Bravo!
Growing up just outside of Sacramento, California, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Charles Smith began craving worldly travel at a young age due to his Welsh mother and French father. Charles spent nine years managing rock bands and concert tours throughout Europe before returning to the United States to immerse himself in the emerging music scene in Seattle Washington. Having been previously bitten by the wine bug, he opened up a wine shop on Bainbridge Island, but Charles was compelled to create the wines, not just to sell them.
A chance road trip to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1999 gave Charles that opportunity. He watched, listened, absorbed. Most importantly, he created. With almost nothing in his pockets, Charles Smith found a way to produce his first vintage...the aforementioned 330 cases of 1999 K Syrah. Charles sold these cases out of the back of his Astro Van...and the rest became history. Since then, Charles has received 198 scores of 95 points and above and 768 scores of 90 points and above! He has also earned:
- Wine & Spirits Magazine Winery of the Year (2008)
- Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the Year (2014)
- Placed #2 and #13 on the Wine Spectator Top 100 List (2017)
JEB DUNNUCK 90-92 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs is going to be another terrific value from this team. Cassis, blackberries, sage, tobacco, and leafy herb notes all define the aromatics, and it’s medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant on the palate. It’s going to shine right out of the gate."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 90 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon CS lifts from the glass with a dark burst of mocha, espresso and balsamic spice. It’s surprisingly juicy and fresh, with crisp red and black fruits and hints of tobacco that form toward the close. It finishes grippy and long, with a pleasantly chewy sensation—neither tannic nor cloying."
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "Opening to classic Cabernet notes on the nose, with a fresh frame of blackberry, dark cherry and dusty plum, the 2021 Cs Cabernet Sauvignon is juicy and floral with hints of savory herbs and brown baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, it is firm, focused and fresh on the palate, with elegance, focus, grace and a balanced structures. This is quite impressive for the price and number of bottles produced. Over 2.4 million bottles were made after the wine rested for about a year on the lees, and it boasts a soft shine from aging in 25% new French oak. Bravo!
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