Smith & Hook 2018 Red Blend, Central Coast

Description

Smith & Hook is a very unique winery that dates back to the early 1980s. Now one of the Hahn Family wineries, they’re unique in that although located in the Central Coast where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the dominant varietals, they built their reputation producing outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab/Merlot blends that they still maintain today. Sourcing from select, warmer micro-climates, they’ve been able to produce red blends that rival much of their North Coast competition. This wine for example, from the outstanding 2018 vintage uses grapes from the San Antonio Valley at the Southern end of the Santa Lucia Mountains, as well as from Arroyo Seco and Paso Robles. A blend of 34% Merlot, 33% Petite Sirah, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot aged 24 months in 60% new French oak. Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 91 points saying “Dried cherry, kirsch and cedar aromas show on the nose of this reliable blend. There’s a woody flavor to the…