2011 | House of Smith | K Vintners The Hidden Syrah

Red Wine: 2011 | House of Smith | K Vintners The Hidden Syrah

Overall this still seems very closed. On the nose sour cherry (fresh fruity) and menthol. Very viscous, almost sweet, silky tannins, strong alcohol, very vivid, mild palate fruit, seamlessly round structure, extremely fine and at the same time intense in all components.

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Producer: House of Smith

Ratings: WA | 95 WS | 92

Vintage: 2011

Size: 750ml

ABV: 14.5%

Varietal: Syrah/Shiraz

Country/Region: United States, Washington

Overall this still seems very closed. On the nose sour cherry (fresh fruity) and menthol. Very viscous, almost sweet, silky tannins, strong alcohol, very vivid, mild palate fruit, seamlessly round structure, extremely fine and at the same time intense in all components.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: Aged in 100% new 500 liter barrels, the 2011 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard is an incredible Syrah that gives up pure aromas and flavors of blackberry, ground pepper, minerality, and dried spices and hints of vanilla in its full-bodied, elegant and seamless profile. Slightly more mid-weight than prior vintages, yet with beautiful concentration and solid mid-palate depth, it has enough tannin and richness to evolve gracefully for over a decade as well.

• Wine Spectator: Fresh, vibrant and inviting, with a polished texture and expressive blueberry and clotted cream flavors, hinting at peach as the finish lingers against modest tannins. Drink now through 2019.

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 Rhne-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.