Located at the base of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla (Washington State), Charles Smith opened his first winery, K Vintners, in December of 2001. The first release,1999 K Syrah from Walla Walla Valley, initiated the style of winemaking that Charles continues today: small lots of single vineyard Syrahs and field blends of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Tempranillo and Viognier, all of which are hand-picked, foot-stomped, fermented with naturally occurring yeasts and basket pressed.
View Supplier PageSKU | 174795 |
Country | United States |
Region | Washington State |
Type | White |
Varietal | Chardonnay |
Listing | Speculative |
Case Config. | 6x750ml |
Available In | BC |
Healthy green-tinged yellow-gold.
Ripe peach and nectarine aromas are complemented by sexy butterscotch'y lees.
Quite tight and youthfully imploded, conveying excellent acidity and cut to its bright flavours of lemon curd, pear, crushed stone and minerals.
Try this with a grilled lemon-chicken salad, fresh summer crab cakes or BBQ cedar plank salmon.
SIXTO, the Chardonnay-only label from Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton. Inspired by the story of musician Sixto Rodriguez (featured in the acclaimed documentary "Searching for Sugar Man"), Charles similarly wanted to resurrect something that was always great, but was waiting to be rediscovered - as in the old Chardonnay vines in Washington State. Being the sixth label that Charles has created (sextus translates to "sixth" in Latin), the name SIXTO was a perfect fit.
2017 -
"Satisfying aromas of candied apple, honey and basil leaf follow through to a full body that’s bright and formed with beautiful fruit and underlying freshness and savoriness. Just a hint of cream and blanched almond. Lemon curd. Juicy finish. Complete. Half fermented in concrete and rest in large barrels. Drink or hold."
2015 -
"The entry-level bottling, the 2015 Chardonnay Uncovered offers up pretty aromas of buttered apples and pastry cream, followed by a glossy, medium to full-bodied palate that’s rounded and open-knit, but it retains good freshness and balance. It isn’t quite as intense or concentrated as the vineyard-designate bottlings, but it’s keenly priced and well-adapted to near-term consumption."
2015 -
"This has a smooth, rich and creamy nose with spiced peach custard and nougat. Plenty of palate weight and texture. Peaches, melons and hints of lemons. Toasty and buttery finish. Drink now."
2015 -
"Vibrant and precise, with delicately layered lemon, spicy lees and stony mineral accents that finish with lively acidity. Drink now through 2022. 1,287 cases made."
2015 -
"(50% fermented in concrete and 50% in puncheons): Healthy green-tinged yellow-gold. Ripe peach and nectarine aromas are complemented by sexy butterscotchy lees. Quite tight and youthfully imploded, conveying excellent acidity and cut to its bright flavors of lemon curd, pear, crushed stone and minerals. There's an early oaky quality here as well, which Leighton says is associated with an element of reduction. This tight, bright wine finishes with lovely length but will require a few years to showcase its fruit."