2018 | House of Smith | Substance

A zesty, fruit-forward Cabernet that opens with black cherry, bittersweet mocha and spice flavors.

Reviews:

• Jeb Dunnuck: I loved the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs, which ranks with the finest releases to date for this cuvée. Classy cassis fruits, lead pencil, and tobacco notes all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannin, integrated oak, and a great finish. It makes a mockery of just about every other Cabernet Sauvignon in this price range. Buy a case and enjoy over the coming 4-6 years, probably longer.

• James Suckling: This has the wonderful, dark-fruit and olive character of a ripe cabernet sauvignon, but the polished tannins fold over the wine. It’s full-bodied, yet agile and focused at the finish. Real wine for the money.

Producer Information

House of Smith (also sometimes known as Wines of Substance, although this is also an offshoot brand) is a broad portfolio of Washington-based brands founded and owned by Charles Smith, distinct from much of the labels under the former Charles Smith Wines company which was acquired by wine giant Constellation in 2016. Smith grew up in California and managed rock bands in Scandinavia for a number of years before returning to the US to work in the wine industry. He planted his first vines in the Walla Walla Valley AVA in 1999 and released the subsequent 330 cases of Syrah in 2001 under the label K Vintners, before establishing his namesake brand in 2006. The House of Smith portfolio features mostly single-variety wines which are known for their striking labels and evocative proprietary names. While focused on accessibility and affordability, the wines are still critically acclaimed. The K Vintners range includes a selection of single-vineyard Syrah wines, as well as varietal examples of Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Viognier. The range, which changes regularly, also has several Southern Rhône-style blends. Apart from K Vintners, current brands include the Substance range, Vino CasaSmith, which focuses on Italian grape varieties such as Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese, the Chardonnay-only Sixto, B. Leighton (the latter two are made with grower Brennon Leighton) and the Charles & Charles / Bieler & Smith collaboration with Charles Bieler. Smith works with contract vineyards all over Columbia Valley including the sub-appellations of Wahluke Slope, Walla Walla Valley, Snipes Mountain and Yakima Valley. The vineyards practice sustainable farming and use recycled water. Grapes are crushed by foot, fermented with wild yeasts and basket-pressed. In 2016, five of his most prominent brands (along with the Charles Smith Wines name) were sold to Constellation Brands. These are Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Eve Chardonnay, Boom Boom Syrah, Velvet Devil Merlot, and Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon. Before the sale, production across the Charles Smith brands reached 650,000 cases annually, making it one of the largest producers in Washington, only surpassed by Chateau Ste. Michelle Estates and Precept.

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