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Charles Smith Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2014 Wine Review

Charles Smith Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2014

Charles Smith Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2014

Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

Community Score:88/100

Community Reviews: 3

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Price: $21.95

Drink: 2015-2019

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13.9%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Charles Smith

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 89/100

A full-bodied Washington state blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes. Aromas of black fruit and toasty oak. Could use more cellar time to smooth the tannins. Decant for 1-2 hours and pair with a rare steak. Campfire toasty and smoky with black fruit and a whip of dark spice across the palate. Great value here in this Washington State Cabernet. Pair with a pepper steak for maximum pleasure.

Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah food pairings: steak frites, grilled gourmet sausages.

This Charles Smith Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2014 was reviewed on March 3, 2017 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2017  2016  2015  2013  2012 

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Pricing & Stock Information

  • BCLDB
  • 114611
  • $17.02 
  • Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

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.
Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 86/100 with the following review:

Major blackberry, leather, spice and mocha hit the high notes. Tannins are young, chewy and seem to bury the acidity. A medium bodied wine lacking some backbone. Tasted March 2017 by @sommsosa | bespoketastings.ca

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