Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon | brings gourmet burgers to another level!
93 points Wine Enthusiast: The Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon is a big but balanced expression of Cabernet that is ready to drink now. Layers of black cherry, caramel, vanilla, smoke and crushed black rocks show on the lavish nose. The palate’s chalky texture is immediately apparent, with vibrant acidity that carries forth a rich crème de cassis flavor and finishes on roasted coffee and milk chocolate.
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Winemaker: A bouquet bursting with notes of dark fruit and hints of spice leads into a structured palate of bright plum, boysenberry, and cherry. The Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon initial fruitiness is complemented by alluring notes of vanilla cream and rich cacao. Expansive flavors and balanced tannins carry through to the smooth, lavish finish.
The robust flavors are a great complement to braised short ribs, mushroom stroganoff, or a charred gruyere burger. The fruit for this wine comes from four prestigious appellations of the Central Coast: Arroyo Seco for structure and backbone; San Antonio Valley for rich plum and currant flavors; Hames Valley for dark skin color and intense blackberry and spice aromas; and Paso Robles for black cherry notes and seductively round and supple tannins. The result is a spirited, layered and luscious Cabernet Sauvignon.
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After harvest, we barrel-ferment Smith & Hook in French oak, beautifully melding each vineyard’s distinctive flavors into a robust and richly layered blend. We age this Cabernet Sauvignon in French oak for up to 10 months.
About Smith & Hook Winery
In 1980, Nicky and Gaby Hahn purchased former horse and cattle ranches in the highlands of Monterey County. The ranches, Smith & Hook, were home to grazing cattle for generations but had been recently transformed into premium vineyards. At the time of purchase, the land produced some of the first estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon in Monterey County.
Smith Vineyard, home to their namesake winery, and Hook Vineyard, just to the Southeast, are located above the Salinas Valley in California’s rugged Central Coast appellation. Among the family’s inaugural releases was a Cabernet Sauvignon produced from those two vineyards.
Today, both Smith & Hook estate vineyards remain family owned, farmed and operated. However, after years of winegrowing experience in this region, it became clear that both vineyards were better suited to produce cool-climate varietals like Pinot Noir. While some may have found this discovery discouraging, the Hahn’s, who never shy away from a challenge, did as the climate demanded and began grafting over their estate vines to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Simultaneously, they also committed to sourcing fine Cabernet Sauvignon from warmer vineyards further South in the Central Coast.