Charles Smith K Vintners King Coal Cabernet Syrah 2017

- 95 Punkte Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, Anthony Mueller: „A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah, the 2017 King Coal Stoneridge Vineyard begins as a classic Cabernet with generous oak tones in the glass. Full-bodied, the wine is rich and round with a velvety mouthfeel that is just slightly softer than previous vintages but persists with the same generous expression, with a rustic minerality, sweet oak core and evident flavors of green pepper and dried tobacco spice. The wine continues to somersault with an evolving and layered long, drawn-out and silky finish. Well done!“

- 93+ Punkte VINOUS, Stephen Tanzer: „Bright, dark red with ruby tones. Inky, slightly port-like aromas of blackberry, dried cassis, game and graphite. Dense, thick and concentrated, offering terrific tension and focus to ist sweet dark fruit flavors. This wonderfully sweet and fully et shapely wine is well-balanced from the start but hast he stuffing and structure for at least a decade of ageing. Finishes long and lively, with thick but smooth tannins that saturate the entire palate and front teeth. According to winemaker Leighton, this is always the last K vineyard tob e harvested. (made from the same vineyrad as the Royal City, but from the southern end oft he sope)“

- 98 Punkte JEB DUNNUCK: „One of the top two or three wines in the vintage, I was blown away by the 2017 King Coal, which comes all from the Stoneridge Vineyard on the Royal Slope and is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. The Syrah is not destemmed, and everything is co-fermented in oak uprights and aged in 60% new barrels. Brilliant on all accounts, with a huge nose of spiced red and black fruits, chocolate, cured meats, tobacco, and truffle, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, awesome tannins, a great mid-palate, and a finish that won’t quit. The Syrah component gives this plenty of upfront appeal, yet it’s going to cruise in cold cellars for 15 years or more.“

- 94 Punkte JAMES SUCKLING: „This is a juicy, flavorful red with a filled-out palate of ripe-berry and chocolate character. It’s full-bodied with round, soft tannins and a flavorful finish. A blend of 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% syrah. Drink or hold.“