Charles Smith K Vintners The Deal Syrah 2014

Drink now through to 2032. Decant 1 hour before serving.

Formerly a rock band manager and seasoned veteran of the European concert circuit, Charles Smith fell in love with wine while touring and returned to the United States with a dream of making his own bottles. Today he is considered one of the country’s finest self-taught winemakers thanks to his highly-acclaimed Washington State wines which have earned him the title Winemaker of the Year from Food & Wine magazine, Wine Enthusiast, and Seattle Magazine.

Smith’s speciality is single varietal Syrah like this excellent example crafted from Sundance Vineyard, one of the oldest vineyards on the Wahluke Slope in Walla Walla Valley AVA. The vines here were planted in 1997 on gravelly volcanic soils and enjoy a long ripening season which ensures perfectly-balanced grapes.

The Deal is a wine with a very long life ahead of it thanks to the punchy tannins, generous full body and luscious dark berry and plum flavours which linger endlessly on the tongue. The black fruit notes are accompanied by hints of leather, earth, olives, tobacco leaf and black pepper. The complexity makes it an ideal wine to lay down in the cellar for a few more years or to serve now alongside a rich beef stew, barbecued meats or a prime steak.