I love the range of boutique and novel Washington wineries that push boundaries. Such is the case with Fiona Mak’s SMAK Wines that is solely focused on making a range of diverse Rose wines. Mak is a graduate of Syracuse University’s hospitality management program. Originally from Hong Kong, Fiona had a formidable career in the restaurant industry, making a host of great spots like Morimoto in Philadelphia, Haru Sushi in New York, and Quality Meats, in Manhattan. Fiona is also a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.
In 2013 she traveled across country to begin her wine education at the Walla Walla Community College Enology and Viticulture program. She then was employed as a lab manager at Artifex Wine Company. The wines are an ode to Provence, with very delicate and nuanced details. They are texturally very good and also killer matches for a range of delicate foods. I love her 2020 SMAK Wines ‘Summer’ Rose (OB, 91) which is vibrant and soft with really good finesse. Just as good is her 2020 SMAK Wines ‘Fall/Winter’ Rose (OB, 91) which is slightly more geared towards weight and ripe red fruits. Learn more about this great new winery at https://www.smakwines.com Here are the great new releases by SMAK Wines.
2020 Smak Wines ‘Spring’ Rose- The 2020 ‘Spring Rose’ is a bright and inviting new 100% Sangiovese Rose release by Fiona Mak. The nose is nicely fragrant with honeysuckle and orange blossom tones that mingle with peach and wet stone undertones. The palate is restrained in terms of fruit flats but shows wonderful nuance especially once warmed up a bit. Wet gravel, green apple, unripe melon and very delicate red fruits greet you, with great acidity. Drink 2021-2025- 91
2020 Smak Wines ‘Summer’ Rose- The 2020 ‘Summer’ Rose is lighter than color than the other two bottlings, as this is 100% Pinot Gris sourced from the ‘Gamache Vineyard.’ This too shows considerable more complexity once warmed up a bit. The combination of weight and finesse is really nice as layers of honeydew melon, bright starfruit and wet stone come together with Japanese pear accents. Drink this delightful release over the next several years. Drink 2021-2025- 91
2020 Smak Wines ‘Fall/Winter’ Rose- The 2020 ‘Fall/Winter’ Rose is 100% Syrah sourced from the ‘Gamache Vineyard’ in the Columbia Valley. This was aged in 100% neutral oak and was given considerable lees stirring prior to bottling. This Syrah Rose shows off a beautiful texture with layers of pretty red raspberry, strawberry and guava, with cantaloupe and damp stone undertones. In terms of texture and brightness, this shows closer to a bigger style of Bandol than the bunch. Drink 2021-2026- 91