2021 Charles Smith Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon

Many of the powerful Cabernet Sauvignons out there are full of themselves or simply full. Not Chateau Smith. It remains true to the old-fashioned winemaking style from Bordeaux. The Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignonis a blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (97%) with a touch of 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. In the glass the wine has an intense ruby red color with clear characteristics of black fruit in the nose. This northwestern Bordeaux-like Cabernet Sauvignon offers intense flavor, depth and complexity. Sturdy but elegant.

Coming from a downright hot vintage, this wine offers quite pure aromas of black currant and black fruit. The palate brings more of the same, giving a very pure unencumbered-by-new-oak look at Washington Cabernet. Lightly grippy tannins provide support. — Sean P. Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast February 2017

Focused and distinctive, with juicy dark plum and currant fruit at the core and savory notes that swim around an expressive finish, draped in fine tannins . — Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator December 2016

About Charles Smith

Charles' knowledge and respect for ancient wine growing techniques, combined with his commitment to the way people drink wine, make his wines so unique. His red wines undergo a long maceration on the skins, without racking after malolactic fermentation. This allows for a longer time on the lees, increasing the mouthfeel. For the white wines he forgoes battonage, and they are vinified and filtered for stability. The playful labels have been celebrated since the day they were released. Artistic, iconic and instantly recognizable. The concepts reference wine flavors and combinations, and each original work of art is a collaboration between Charles and long-time friend, artist Rikke Korff.

There are few winemakers with a story like Charles Smith. Although he was born and raised an hour's drive from Napa Valley, CA, Charles didn't discover his love of wine until he moved to Europe. While living abroad, he led a number of rock bands, including the famous Danish duo The Raveonettes. It was the food and drink of a rock 'n' roll life on the road that fueled Charles' passion for fine wine.

In 1999, on a road trip to Walla Walla, WA, Charles met a winemaker who convinced him to start making his own wine, true to his own story and vision. And in 2001, Charles released 330 cases of his first vintage. Eight years later he was named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine and again in 2014 by Wine Enthusiast.