Community Review

Charles Smith Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2014

Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

Community Score: 4.4/5
Community Reviews: 3

Price: $21.95

Sweetness: Extra Dry
Alcohol: 13.9%

Drink: 2015-2019

Bottle size: 750 ml
Winery: Charles Smith

Greg Hughes rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This wine was pretty well put together. The Shiraz was fermented whole cluster and the Cabernet de-stemmed. Both were fermented separately and slowly and given a nice, long maceration period. This wine doesn't appear to have been given any time in barrel, which may shock some people who taste it. The winemaker's notes only makes mention of carrying out fermentation and malolactic inside stainless steel.
The colour is a deep ruby, with a lot of purple towards the rim
Aromas of leather, cracked pepper, plum, cherry, and tons of fresh blackberry.
The palate is chocolatey, with lots of dark fruit influences from the Shiraz. Plum, mulberry, black currant, and cherry. There is some expression from the Cab in the structure and the red fruit that eek through. It's pretty dark and brooding.
Pure tasting fruit with good extraction. The alcohol is a modest 13.9%, which is surprising considering Washington is capable of superripe 14.5-15% wines. The vintner probably judiciously picked slightly early to preserve the juicy acidity that gives dimension to the dark Shiraz fruit.
A super generous wine, in this category, that would go great with Canadian cuisine: poutine or a Montreal smoked meat sandwich.
Top pick for value.

Read Natalie's Full Review

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