Product Description
‘THE REAL DEAL’ WASHINGTON CAB PRODUCER FOR A KILLER PRICE
"Charles Smith and his team have made another great value Cabernet from Washington – Jeb Dunnuck of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate says about the Substance range in general ‘while they sell for a song, they’re legit’ and about this wine in particular: ‘ the real deal, buy it by the case and drink it over the coming 4-5 years.’ The state of Washington is continuing to produce some of the best deals in our Cabernet section year in and year out 90-92 points and under $15 from a top-notch producer pretty much sums up why the region is doing so well in the store!" – Glen Knight, Wine House (3/14/17)
"Readers need to check out these latest Charles Smith offerings released under the Substance label. These are all handpicked, see native ferments and aging in French oak barrels (the white sees some concrete), so while they sell for a song, they’re legit." -Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
Winery Tasting Notes: Depth and layer upon layer, black cassis, dark cherry, tobacco leaf and morels. Then, pushes on to a full palate, that is savory, mineral driven and earthbound. Smooth, long, compelling… in a word: harmonious.
Vintage Notes: 2014 had an early spring and a wonderful, long summer with cool nights to help maintain great acidity in the grapes. Going into the fall, temperatures cooled down quite a bit throughout the state, and we were able to hang the fruit for a longer period of time before harvest. This combination allowed us to develop more complex flavors, while still maintaining acidity.
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Production: 100% Whole Berry
Yeast: Native
Vinification: 42 Days on Skin
Aging: 50% New French Oak, 12 Months Barrel-Aged on Lees
Accolades for Charles Smith: A self-taught winemaker, Charles is a true artisan and a pioneer in the wine world. In 2008, K Vintners, his first project, was recognized by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the "Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years," and as "Winery of the Year" in their annual buying guide. In 2009 Food & Wine magazine awarded Charles "Winemaker of the Year" and in 2010 Seattle Magazine recognized Charles as their "Winemaker of the Year."