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:
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 90 POINTS - "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs opens with a darkly floral mix of sweet herbs, stone dust and black currants. Silken and pliant, it excels through its core of polished red and black fruits supported by a wave of cooling acidity. It's gently tannic, leaning more on a staining of primary concentration for structure as hints of licorice fade."
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon offers high quality for its modest price. Matured for 10 months in 15% new French oak barriques, it's scented of red cherries, charcuterie, aniseed and dried herbs. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and savory with soft, grainy tannins, refreshing acidity and a layered finish."
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)
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 90 POINTS - "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs opens with a darkly floral mix of sweet herbs, stone dust and black currants. Silken and pliant, it excels through its core of polished red and black fruits supported by a wave of cooling acidity. It's gently tannic, leaning more on a staining of primary concentration for structure as hints of licorice fade."
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon offers high quality for its modest price. Matured for 10 months in 15% new French oak barriques, it's scented of red cherries, charcuterie, aniseed and dried herbs. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and savory with soft, grainy tannins, refreshing acidity and a layered finish."
