A famed Washington winery, K Vintners was founded by Washington wine pioneer Charles Smith. Over many years Smith has received incredible acclaim for his wines and years back he created amazing place to taste his wines in south Seattle. Located in the Georgetown district his Jet City tasting room neighbors Boeing Field. Brennan Leighton and Charles craft some incredible wines for K Vintners. Brennan also produces some amazing wine of his own under his own label, ‘B. Leighton.’ Earlier this summer Leighton has left Charles Smith to focus on his own brand of wines.
For years he has crafted an incredible ‘Royal City’ Syrah which I did not taste during my visit. I found the wines from 2021 to be several notches better than the ‘20s. I love the 2021 Wines of Substance ‘Sunset Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which is lush and very tasty showing plenty of texture. I adored the new 2021 K Vintners ‘The Boy’ Grenache (OB, 95) which is very stony and shows a beautiful purity of red fruit flavors. Learn more about these outstanding new wines https://winesofsubstance.com Here are the great new wines by K Vintners.
2022 Jet City Dry Riesling- Kiwi and starfruit mark the nose alongside wet stone. Juicy and mineral-laden, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2024-2028- 91
2021 Wines of Substance ‘Sunset Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2021 Wines of Substance ‘Sunset Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc was stored in neutral oak before bottling coming from this vineyard in the Ancient Lakes AVA. White grapefruit and peach mark the nose alongside lemongrass notes. Soft and approachable, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 92
2023 K Vintners ‘Art Den Hoed’ Viognier- This offers nectarine, lychee and a smooth texture on the palate. Showing plenty of mouth-watering acidity and a good sense of length, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years to come. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2020 K Vintners ‘Powerline Vineyard’ Viognier- This comes from this site set in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Apricot and starfruit mark the nose alongside nutty tones. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth texture. This is best enjoyed now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2020 SIXTO ‘Moxee’ Chardonnay- Coming from this high elevation site in the Yakima Valley, the 2020 ‘Moxee’ offers buttered popcorn and nutmeg dusted pie crust noes alongside baked apple. The palate is smooth and viscous with lovely texture and good length. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2020 SIXTO ‘Frenchman Hills’ Chardonnay- The really good 2022 SIXTO ‘Frenchman Hills’ Chardonnay offers poached pear, cashew nut and suggestions of white peach on the nose. The palate is fresh and lithe with a smooth texture. Already nicely evolved, enjoy now. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2021 Golden West Pinot Noir- The 2021 Golden West Pinot Noir offers cran-orange and dusty soils on the nose alongside shades of pomegranate seed. Fresh and juicy with a pretty core of red rose water and guava with red cherry flavors. Drink 2024-2030- 90
2021 K Vintners ‘The Boy’ Grenache- A dazzling wine from this warm vintage, the 2021 ‘The Boy’ comes from the Powerline Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA. Stored in neural oak barrels, this delivers beautiful red florals on the nose alongside tar, tobacco leaf and orange peel. The palate is plush, round and generous with a silky texture and refined mouthfeel. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 95
2021 K Vintners ‘Guido’ Sangiovese- The delicious 2021 ‘Guido’ comes from Jack’s Vineyard in the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley. Bergamot and blood orange zest combine with pretty red fruits on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth sense of mouthfeel and beautiful tension that runs through the core of bright red fruit. Plush and lush on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2020 K Vintners ‘Cattle King’ Syrah- The 2020 K Vintners ‘Cattle King’ Syrah shows BBQ beef ribs, tar and black licorice on the nose. The palate is soft and juicy with medium boded black fruits. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2028- 90
2020 K Vintners ‘Jack’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2020 K Vintners ‘Jack’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers orange zest notes alongside dusty soils and wild blackberry notes. The palate is smooth and soft with a refined texture. Drink 2024-2032- 91
2020 Wines of Substance ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ Merlot- The really good 2020 Wines of Substance ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ Merlot offers red cherry, creosote and shades of garrigue on the nose. The palate is soft showing a juicy core of red fruits alongside earthy and herbal accents. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 90