Drink now or cellar for another 8 years. No need to decant before serving. Named Winemaker of
the Year by both Food & Wine and by Wine Enthusiast magazines Charles Smith has a stellar
reputation for making elegant and poised Washington State wines from non-traditional grape
varieties. The former rock band manager actually taught himself how to make wine after
returning from touring Europe and celebrated his first vintage in 1999 with 330 cases of
Syrah. This charming Sangiovese is crafted with fruit from the Wahluke Slope and Rosebud
vineyards. Once in the winery the fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged for
10 months in neutral French oak vessels. This gentle approach avoids overwhelming the natural
character of the grape and preserves plenty of freshness and aromatics. Strawberry ripe
cherry and hints of orange immediately burst out of the glass followed by deeper undertones of
dried flowers and spice. The first sip reveals a medium body punchy tannins and a refreshing
burst of acidity on the finish which helps to cleanse the palate. Elegance and poise are the
main features of this wine making it a great choice to pair with a generous charcuterie and
cheese platter roasted meats or tomato-based pasta dishes.
