This is a serious challenger to Napa Valley Cabernet. Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon brims with vibrant fruit without being overly polished or streamlined; simply a truly delightful wine, nothing more, nothing less.
Smith & Hook is made from grapes sourced from various vineyards in San Antonio Valley, Paso Robles, and Arroyo Seco. These regions, with their distinct terroirs, create a beautiful blend that balances power and elegance. Winemaker Paul Clifton, a native of the area, has been responsible for vinification for over 12 years. He prefers the use of French oak barrels, which provide the right tannins and maturation for the wine without imparting an excessive oak flavor. For this cuvée, 2/3 of the barrels used are new, and the wine spends about a year maturing in them.
The aroma and taste display a lovely ripe fruit profile of forest berries, black cherries, cinnamon, and a hint of clove. The wine is dry and full-bodied, capturing just the right essence of California sunshine. In its youth, the wine shows massive fruit and finely polished tannins akin to grit 400 on the sandpaper scale. The finish is both persistent and precise, making it a worthy companion to all types of seared meats.
We recommend serving the wine at 16–19°C in a spacious Bordeaux glass.
The wine can be enjoyed now but will also develop beautifully for at least 10 years from the harvest year.
