Founder of K Vintners, Charles Smith remains is one of the biggest players in Washington wine. This larger than life man has received incredible acclaim for his wines over the years and he has amassed brands such as K Vinters, Sixto, Secco, as well as his famous Charles Smith label wines. While he has traditionally been based in Walla Walla, he is a city man at heart and created an amazing place to taste his wines in south Seattle in the Georgetown district, his iconic Jet City tasting room.
Brennan Leighton serves as winemaker for K Vintners. Brennan produces some amazing wine of his own under his own label. Known for world class Syrah, Brennan’s 2013 K Vintners ‘Royal City’ Syrah landed on my Top 100 last year. His new release wines by K Vintners label were impressive bottlings. Look for the awesome 2014 K Vintners ‘Rock Garden’ Syrah (WWB, 93) which shows a wonderful range of aromatics and flavors, maintaining the stony quality of The Rocks of Milton-Freewater region. Also downright gorgeous was the 2014 B Leighton ‘Gratitude’ Red Wine (WWB, 93) which is largely a Mourvedre wine that shows a silky texture that Leighton is known for. Learn more about these outstanding new wines at http://winesofsubstance.comwww.charlessmithwines.com
2016 K Vintners ‘Art Den Hoed’ Viognier- This wine was partially fermented in concrete and neutral oak prior to bottling. This wine begins with bright aromatics of lychee, green apple and poached pear, The palate is lithe showcasing vanilla cream, Key lime and green apple flavors. This has wonderful balance. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2014 K Vintners ‘Rock Garden’ Syrah- This wine was aged for 18 months in 40% new French oak prior to bottling. The wine begins with intense aromatics of bulls blood, orange rind and red cherry preserves as well as wild mushroom. The weight on the mid-palate is outstanding as this shows wonderful length and texture. This has bright red cherry, dill, red raspberry, orange rind and bulls blood flavors that lead to a long and lingering finish. Drink 2017-2025- 93
2014 K Vintners ‘El Jefe’ Tempranillo- Sourced from the Stoneridge Vineyard, this wine begins with a bouquet of smoked meats, scorched earth, black tea and black olive with roasted fig accents. The weight is lovely, as is the texture to this ripe wine. Black tea, black olive tapenade, black cherry and suggestions of orange rind flavors build to a slightly tannic finish. Drink 2017-2025- 92
2014 K Vintners ‘Broncho’ Malbec- This wine was sourced from the Stoneridge Vineyard and opens with aromatics of black tea, black olive, mocha and black cherry pie. The palate has nice weight showing off black tea, milk chocolate and black olive flavors.that sit alongside some mild to moderate tannins. Drink 2017-2025- 92
2014 B Leighton ‘Gratitude’ Red Wine- This wine is a blend of 70& Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, 5% Syrah. The translucent colored wine has aromatics of ripe prune, red cherry, fennel and suggestions of blood orange. The wine has downright sexy flavors of black tea, black olive red raspberry and Asian spices. You have to love the tension and texture here. Drink 2017-2024- 93