This blend is Californian wine at its best: rich in healthy fruit without being overly polished or streamlined; simply a truly delightful wine with both complexity and drinkability.
The blend consists of Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Malbec, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are sourced from terroirs in Santa Lucia Highlands (Malbec), San Antonio Valley (Merlot, Petite Sirah), Paso Robles (Cabernet), and Arroyo Seco (Merlot, Petite Sirah), whose distinct characteristics create a beautiful blend combining power and elegance.
Winemaker Paul Clifton, a native of the region, has been in charge of vinification for nearly 15 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 Smith & Hook Proprietary Red Blend, two-thirds new oak barrels are used, in which the wine spends approximately two years of its development.
The aroma and flavor showcase vibrant forest berries, dark cherries, espresso beans, cedarwood, and a hint of warm spices like cinnamon, along with gritty minerals. The wine is full-bodied without being heavy. In its youth, it exhibits dense yet elegant fruit and finely polished tannins, comparable to a 400-grit sandpaper texture.
Although this wine will evolve harmoniously for over a decade, it already offers immense enjoyment. Whether you drink it now or store it to await aged aromas depends on whether you prefer opulent, hedonistic fruit or more subtle, tobacco-like aging notes. One thing is certain: the wine will perform at a high level throughout its maturation period.
We recommend serving the wine at 16–19°C in spacious Bordeaux glasses.
