Wine Enthusiast “#2” Top 100 Wines 2009
100 points In 2005 Charles Smith introduced three high-end Syrahs, all from the same vineyard, Heart, Skull and Old Bones. In 2006 Smith has made a wine better than each of these by combining them into a single wine–Royal City Syrah. Rich scents of purple fruit, smoked meat, cedar, pencil lead, moist earth and so on proclaim a wine with genuine gravitas. There is nothing missing, from the first sniff to the last sip, the wine delivers on all levels. Complex, beautifully balanced, powerful and detailed.
THE WINES
CURRENT RELEASES
Pre Release 2007 Charles Smith Wines “Royal City" Syrah Stoneridge Vineyard - Columbia Valley $100
Sold Out
2006 vintage: 100pts & “#2” Top 100 Wines 2009 Wine Enthusiast, 98pts Robert Parker, 97pts Wine Spectator!
Pre Release 2007 Charles Smith Wines “Old Bones" Syrah - Royal Slope Columbia Valley $120
2005 vintage 99pts Robert Parker
Pre Release 2007 Charles Smith Wines “Skull" Syrah - Royal Slope Columbia Valley $100
2005 vintage 98pts Robert Parker
Pre Release 2007 Charles Smith Wines “Heart" Syrah - Royal Slope Columbia Valley $100
2005 vintage 97pts Robert Parker
*All 2007 prerelease/future wines must be picked up before January 1, 2011 otherwise they will be shipped from K Vintners at customers expense. Thank you for your understanding.
NEW RELEASE 2009 K Viognier - Columbia Valley $20
Another deliciously refreshing vintage. Acacia and tobacco blossom, stone fruits and a hint of baking spice, all wrapped up in a mouth-watering box with a big bright bow on top. What do we have here folks? Yet another winner winner chicken dinner! [download tech sheet]
NEW RELEASE 2008 K “Milbrandt” - Columbia Valley $25
Our most intense, elegant and finesseful vintage to date. Classic K, dialed up a notch, with notes of smoked meat, cracked pepper, red raspberries and violets. So luscious, so tasty, and an unbelievable value. Get it while it’s hot. [download tech sheet]
New Release 2007 K Syrah “Motor City Kitty” - Washington State $30
Sold Out
Huge, ROCKSTAR LOUD, liquid pleasure…Here Kitty, Kitty…. [download tech sheet]
NEW RELEASE 2007 K “Guido” - Walla Walla Valley $35
Savory and mouth-filling, bittersweet black cherry, rustic Tuscan herbs and roasted meat. [download tech sheet]
NEW RELEASE 2008 K Syrah “Clifton” - Wahluke Slope $35
From an ancient vineyard, this has intense minerality, big, ripe dense bramble-fruit flavors and a massive, long finish. [download tech sheet]
NEW RELEASE 2008 K Syrah “Pheasant” - Wahluke Slope $35
Sun-drenched ripe black fruit, wet stone, baking spice and grilled meat. [download tech sheet]
2007 K Syrah “Phil Lane” $70
Violets, lavender, roasted meat, game, crushed stone, and a super long finish. [download tech sheet]
CHARLES SMITH WINES
2009 Charles Smith Wines “Kung Fu Girl” Riesling – Columbia Valley
THIS GIRL IS SERIOUS! Aromatic, smooth, vibrant and tasty. Think tangerine, apricot, wet stone, key lime, clove, and nectarine. [download tech sheet]
2008 Charles Smith Wines “The Velvet Devil” Merlot – Washington State $12
If velvet had a flavor this would be it. Bittersweet chocolate, dark Italian cherries. Sweet rose petals with a firm, satiny finish. Pure Washington Merlot. HELL YEAH! [download tech sheet]
2008 Charles Smith Wines “Boom Boom” Syrah – Washington State
EXPLOSIVE! Everything you want in a syrah....smooth, firm, fresh & dark...super dense purple with meaty dark fruit, Asian five spice & sweet tobacco. Intense yet plush texture...it will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! [download tech sheet]
2007 Charles Smith Wines “Chateau Smith” Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley
Delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromatics galore—cigar box, pencil lead, cedar and currants with super refined tannins and a long, fine finish. French? No. Chateau Smith? OUI! [download tech sheet]
SOLD! Previous Vintages
K Vintners
2008 K “The Boy” - Walla Walla Valley $45
This Boy’s a wild one: ripe black currant and blackberry, cigarbox and dried game meats. [download tech sheet]
2008 K Syrah Rosé – Walla Walla Valley
Que syrah, syrah…whatever a rosé should be, it is. From estate vineyard Phil Lane...bright, bursting with red berries and raspberries. THE summer refresher at K. (66 cases)
2007 K Syrah “Clifton” – Wahluke Slope $35
Sun-drenched ripe boysenberry, black pepper, fennel and mouth coating finish. [download tech sheet]
2007 K Syrah “Northridge” – Wahluke Slope $35
Extremely concentrated, intense color. Notes of huckleberry, cedar, cigar and kirsch. Built like a brick sh*t-house; exuberant ripe fruit with grippy backbone and spice and a seamless finish. [download tech sheet]
2007 K Syrah “Morrison Lane” – Walla Walla Valley $45
Black fruit, black earth and undergrowth, luxurious texture. [download tech sheet]
2007 K “El Jefe” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley $60
(75% Tempranillo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon) Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia one sip of this bloody, earthy, gamey Tempranillo will take you there. Why buy a ticket to Spain when you can drink El Jefe. It’s the boss. [download tech sheet]
2007 K “Roma” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley $60
(62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Syrah) Rich and focused, this wine delivers super complex flavors and long smooth texture. Black currants, pipe tobacco, cool stone, more than ample flavor. Named for my mother Roma. [download tech sheet]
2007 K “Ovide” En Cerise Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley $60
(67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah) Cedar, black olive and earth. Pure and finesse—full, this Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah keeps giving, giving and giving. In honor of my dad. [download tech sheet]
2008 K Viognier – Columbia Valley $20
Another crazy, perfect vintage. Classic Viognier with mind blowing aromas–stone fruit, jasmine blossoms, wet stone. This wine offers great balance and minerals…an absolute, sheer delight. Yet another winner-winner chicken dinner! [download tech sheet]
2007 K Syrah “Milbrandt” – Wahluke Slope $25
As the day is long…a never ending finish of spices, fresh tobacco, cured meats, and stone. So smooth, so fine. [download tech sheet]
2007 K “The Boy” – Walla Walla Valley
(90% Grenache, 10% Syrah) Truly a vineyard in the bottle—intensely earthy, gamey…luscious red raspberries in the warm sun. (340 cases) [download tech sheet]
2007 K “The Deal” Sundance Vineyard – Wahluke Slope
(100% Syrah) Balanced with berry fruit, game and gravel; a tremendous wine at any price. [download tech sheet]
2007 K “The Creator” – Walla Walla Valley
(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah) Pencil lead, spice, pipe tobacco with a core of currant and figs. [download tech sheet]
2007 K Syrah “Pheasant” – Wahluke Slope
Rich black fruit nearly says it all. Add earth, finesse, and a hint of sage…beauty in a bottle. (191 cases) [download tech sheet]
2007 K “Viognier” – Columbia Valley
Pears and orange blossom in the nose. This fantastic viognier is pure balance and mineral. It's another winner, so winner winner chicken dinner.
2006 K “Guido” – Walla Walla Valley
(80% Sangiovese, 20% Syrah) Bellissimo! Rose petals, cherry blossoms...black cherries, cedar, leather, crème caramel with a hint of anise. It’s like an Italian feast. (140 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 K “Motor City Kitty”, Stoneridge Vineyard – Columbia Valley
From the vineyard that makes Heart, Skull, and Old Bones. Two years in French Burgundy barrels, hand bottled. This age worthy Syrah is powerful, smooth and dark—garrigue, spice, stone, anise and lilac. (95 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 K Syrah “The Deal” Sundance Vineyard – Wahluke Slope
Pure, single vineyard syrah from the Wahluke Slope. Foot crushed, basket pressed- rich, tasty, a fine, fine Syrah. (443 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 K “The Creator” – Walla Walla Valley
Pencil lead, spice, pipe tobacco. Rich and pleasurable. Complex as hell. With a pure soul. Whether you’re going to Heaven or Hell, The Creator cannot be missed! (365 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 K Syrah “Morrison Lane” – Walla Walla Valley
Every time I taste this I want to give the Morrison’s a hug for growing this wine. It’s BLACK! Black fruit, black earth. A super deep Syrah. The best Morrison Lane ever. I mean it! (257 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 “El Jefe” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(75% Tempranillo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Complex spice, earth and bloody character. Perhaps the best yet? Actually it is the best yet! (150 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 “Roma” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Syrah)
Dark brooding flavor. Two varietals, one vineyard. One wine. For Roma, my mom. (200 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 “Ovide” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah)
Firm and rich. Black olive, sweet tobacco, dried herbs. Long on the palate. Long on pleasure. This wine is awesome! For my dad. (225 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 K Syrah “Phil Lane” – Walla Walla Valley
This wine smells of violets and Lavender. In the mouth it is so opulent, but so feminine. Roasted meat, game, and cool stone. Named for a man but also made for women. (140 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 K Syrah “Cougar Hills” – Walla Walla Valley
The last vintage of this K favorite. Small batch, Walla Walla Valley Syrah at its best: black olives, sea salt, and smooth, smooth goodness. Don't miss this wine. (257 cases) [download tech sheet]
2006 K “The Boy” – Walla Walla Valley
(94% Grenache, 6% Syrah)
Each year the Grenache gets deeper & deeper. You smell the earth, the rocks, the sunshine and the wind. This is a vineyard in the bottle.
2006 K Syrah “Pheasant” – Wahluke Slope
A first time caller, this deep-earth, gamy Syrah also shows beautiful finesse and is beautiful to drink. (191 cases)
2006 K Syrah “Milbrandt” – Wahluke Slope
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways, ten to be exact: 1. Smoke 2. Soy sauce 3. Cured black olives 4. Black pepper 5. White pepper 6. Black raspberries 7. Red raspberries 8. Stone 9. Dried meat 10. Violets [download tech sheets]
2006 K “Viognier” – Columbia Valley
Pears and orange blossom in the nose. This fantastic voignier is pure balance and mineral. It’s another winner, so winner winner chicken dinner. (645 cases)
2005 K Syrah “The Beautiful” – Walla Walla Valley
I have only produced "The Beautiful" once before. This wine is so gorgeous it is pure crushed velvet. (108 cases)
2005 K Syrah “Wells” – Walla Walla Valley
This rare Syrah is grown in rocky soil at 1500ft up the south fork of Walla Walla River. There is only 1/2 acre planted and only 2 barrels produced. It is truly an outstanding wine. Spice, game and earth. (45 cases)
2005 K “The Boy” – Walla Walla Valley
(Grenache 88%, Syrah 12%)
Each year the Grenache gets deeper & deeper. You smell the earth, the rocks, the sunshine and the wind. This is a vineyard in the bottle. (120 cases)
2005 K Syrah “Cougar Hills” – Walla Walla Valley
Black olive, star anise, oyster shell, sea salt. This wine is just f**king excellent! (580 cases)
2005 K Syrah “Milbrandt” – Wahluke Slope
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways, ten to be exact: 1. Smoke 2. Soy sauce 3. Cured black olives 4. Black pepper 5. White pepper 6. Black raspberries 7. Red raspberries 8. Stone 9. Dried meat 10. Violets (720 cases)
2005 K Syrah “The Deal” Sundance Vineyard – Wahluke Slope
A deal is a Deal. The first vintage of this low-yield single vineyard Syrah. Rich, earthy and smooth. I put my passion into this wine and I made a promise, I kept The Deal! Only 6 barrels. (143 cases)
2005 K “El Jefe” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(Tempranillo 75%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%)
I love this wine! It reminds me of Ernest Hemingway’s bullfighting epic “The Sun Also Rises”. It is sun drenched, earthy and bloody. One sip and you’re off to Spain! (84 cases)
2005 K “The Creator” – Walla Walla Valley
(60% Cabernet Sauvignon En Cerise, 40% Syrah Morrison Lane)
The Creator has returned. Wow! This is one complex wine. Black olive tapenade, dried herbs, earth, and spice. Powerful and almighty. Hail The Creator! (287 cases)
2005 K Syrah “Morrison Lane” – Walla Walla Valley
Do you like Syrah? Forget that, You're going to love this one! Born in the vineyard and captured in the bottle. Dark earth, game, undergrowth saturating flavor and Wild Syrah character. This is a killer Syrah. (433 cases)
2005 K Syrah “Phil Lane” – Walla Walla Valley
Two small blocks of vines that border the winery here at K produce this miniscule batch of syrah. It is aromatic, lavender, violet and super satisfying to drink. (65 cases)
2005 K “Roma” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Syrah 25%)
For my mother. A very luxurious wine. So lavish on the palate it defies description. So that is that. (95 cases)
2005 K “Ovide” En Cerise Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Syrah 25%)
For my father. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this single vineyard blend is all about graphite, pencil shavings and gravel! (187 cases)
2005 K Syrah “Motor City Kitty” – Washington State
Rock and Roll in a glass. Loud and powerful. THIS WINE ROCKS! (37 cases)
2005 K “Guido” – Walla Walla Valley
(86% Sangiovese, 14% Syrah)
PURE! Anise, tiny Italian cherries, tobacco, cedar, the list goes on and on. True Sangiovese character. Pure pleasure! Super Tuscan, Brunello? I didn't say it, will you? (330 cases)
2004 K “El Jefe” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(Tempranillo 75%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%)
The richest, bloodiest, and earthiest to date. You may find it so compelling you’ll need a nose doctor to remove your beak from the glass. (95 cases)
2004 K “Roma” En Chamberlin Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Syrah 25%)
Once again a lovely deep wine. Reminiscent of violet and just rich Cabernet fruit. Beautiful wine named for my mother! (95 cases)
2004 K “Ovide” En Cerise Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley
(Cabernet Sauvignon 65%, Syrah 35%)
The wine for my father reminds me of Graves in Bordeaux, from a ripe vintage. It is minerally complex with aromas of fine cured tobacco and pencil shavings. A mans’ man wine but women love it too! (175 cases)
2004 K Syrah “Motor City Kitty” – Washington State
This wine gives me CAT SCRATCH FEVER. It is liquid mineral and juicy, juicy. A two year barrel aged and hand bottled syrah, released every year at this holiday time. Get it now while the cat is out of the bag! (50 Cases)
2004 K Syrah “Milbrandt” – Wahluke Slope
One sniff and you will want to crawl in the glass and splash around. Ripe, Rich and Fleshy. This wine Rocks! (1200 cases)
2004 K “Viognier” – Columbia Valley
2003 K “The Boy” – Walla Walla Valley
(Grenache 68%, Syrah 18%, Mourvedre 14%)
Combine cranberries, massive doses of sun drenched earth and crushed rocks in Cuisinart, press obliterate, strain into glass, Lift, Drink, Savor! (525 cases)
2003 K “The Creator” – Walla Walla Valley
(Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Syrah 40%)
Aromas and flavors of earth, spice, minerals and pencil shavings is what you will find in this heavenly Walla Walla Valley blend of En Cerise vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Seven Hills vineyard Syrah. This miraculous wine will bring you to your knees singing Sweet Baby Jesus, Hallelujah! (Limited)
2003 K Syrah “Lucky No. 7” – Walla Walla Valley
Mineral, spice and intense. This Seven Hills vineyard Syrah will kick your ass! Or something like that. (800 cases)
2003 K Syrah “The Hustler” – Walla Walla Valley
“The 2003 Syrah THE HUSTLER was exceptional, it will go quickly”
From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 4/24/2006
This 32 month barrel aged single vineyard Syrah is named for Jackie Gleason AKA “Minnesota Fats”, a big man light on his feet. The wine will take you to the moon and back with its deep, deep flavor and super suave texture. So grab a bottle, pull the cork, fill your glass and “Away We Go”! (120 cases)
SOLD! Previous Vintages
CHARLES SMITH WINES
2008 Charles Smith Wines “Kung Fu Girl” Riesling – Columbia Valley
THE MOST INTENSE KUNG FU GIRL TO DATE. Delicate aromas of stone fruit, white peach, apricot, Asian pear and white spring blossoms. Long and layered.
THIS GIRL TRULY KICKS ASS!
2007 Charles Smith Wines “BOOM BOOM!” SYRAH – Washington State $15
DEEP PURPLE. Complex, rich and explosive. Think blackberry, violets, lavender and earth. So smooth. THIS WINE ROCKS!
2007 Charles Smith Wines “The Velvet Devil” Merlot – Washington State
Balanced, rich and explosive. Think red plums, bittersweet cocoa with hints of smoke and cedar. SO SMOOTH, SO NAUGHTY, AND SO VERY, VERY NICE.
Why Velvet Devil? It makes Merlot sound SEXY…because it IS!
2007 Charles Smith Wines “Kung Fu Girl” Riesling – Columbia Valley
Single vineyard, fragmented basalt, and caliche...classic Riesling, sublime minerality. WHY? BECAUSE, RIESLING AND GIRLS KICK ASS!
2007 Charles Smith Wines “Eve” Chardonnay – Columbia Valley $12
Sinfully tempting…fresh, crisp, the perfume of sweet apple blossoms lures you into The Garden of Eden. Silky, soft, mouth filling deliciousness…take the first sip!
2006 Charles Smith Wines “Chateau Smith” Cabernet Sauvignon – Columbia Valley
Not Bordeaux. Pure Washington! Cedar, No2 pencil, tobacco leaf. There is a ribbon of red currant running through the core of the beautiful and complex Cabernet Sauvignon. VIVE LE CHATEAU SMITH!
2006 Charles Smith Wines “Royal City Syrah” Stoneridge Vineyard – Columbia Valley
As reviewed by Paul Gregutt 4/27/09: “100 Point Wine…Rich scents of purple fruit, smoked meat, cedar, lead pencil, moist earth and so on proclaim a wine with genuine gravitas…..the finest syrah I have ever tasted from Washington State, and in fact as good as any young syrah I have ever tasted from anywhere.” [download tech sheet]
2006 Charles Smith Wines “Holy Cow” Chardonnay – Columbia Valley
SILKY! This Chardonnay grown in rocky soils is pure, complex and fresh. Silky? Yes, very, very SILKY!
2006 Charles Smith Wines “Holy Cow” Merlot – Columbia Valley
PURE MERLOT! Sweet cherry, pipe tobacco, and spice. Cool stone, smooth as velvet, TASTY AS HELL!
2006 Charles Smith Wines “BOOM BOOM!” SYRAH – Washington State
Smokey, racy, mouth filling, will blow you away, BOOM BOOM!
2006 “Kung Fu Girl” Riesling – Columbia Valley
Grapes grown in the rocky soils of Evergreen vineyard produce this fantastic single vineyard Riesling. Aromatics - think: Asian pear, white peach and spring flowers. Follow this with a burst of flavor and a long fresh satisfying finish.
Why Kung Fu Girl? Because Riesling and Girls kick ass!
2005 Charles Smith Wines “Heart” Syrah – Royal Slope Columbia Valley
These are stunning syrahs that must be tasted to be believed.
97 Points – Robert Parker.com 7/1/08
2005 Charles Smith Wines “Skull” Syrah – Royal Slope Columbia Valley
...will be at its best from 2017 to 2035.
98 Points – Robert Parker.com 7/1/08
2005 Charles Smith Wines “Old Bones” Syrah – Royal Slope Columbia Valley
...totally hedonistic. It will be at its best from 2017 to 2035.
99 Points – Robert Parker.com 7/1/08