Charles Smith
Royal City Washington Syrah
Washington, USA
The last several years I’ve either opened a Royal City, Charles Smith Skull or Behrens Family Thanksgiving Cab (with the skeleton family on the label) on Halloween night. This is far and away the best showing for the Royal City I’ve ever had. 10 years in bottle seems to be the sweet spot for this wine. Blackberry compote, black olive tapenade, smoke, grainy tannins and a dash of herbaceous goodness. Not at all like Cayuse—there is no fox fur funk—rather it compares favorably to a higher end Northern Rhône but without the classy heft and long finish of a LaLa. Enjoyed it immensely.
The last several years I’ve either opened a Royal City, Charles Smith Skull or Behrens Family Thanksgiving Cab (with the skeleton family on the label) on Halloween night. This is far and away the best showing for the Royal City I’ve ever had. 10 years in bottle seems to be the sweet spot for this wine. Blackberry compote, black olive tapenade, smoke, grainy tannins and a dash of herbaceous goodness. Not at all like Cayuse—there is no fox fur funk—rather it compares favorably to a higher end Northern Rhône but without the classy heft and long finish of a LaLa. Enjoyed it immensely.
1 person found it helpfulNov 1st, 2018Nose of wet fox fur, big, brawny olive, tapenaude, ripe plumb, gravel. Really rich and lush. 💀
Nose of wet fox fur, big, brawny olive, tapenaude, ripe plumb, gravel. Really rich and lush. 💀
Nov 1st, 2015
Big, bold, and hard to argue with...
Big, bold, and hard to argue with...
Nov 30th, 2013
This stuff was amazing years back but seems to have past its peak
This stuff was amazing years back but seems to have past its peak
Dec 6th, 2020
Big, bold, spicy Washington State Syrah from Charles Smith. 99RP.
Great nose, grippy juicy mouthfeel. Spices dominate on the palate. Smoke leather, dark fruit, vanilla, thick liquorice
Big, bold, spicy Washington State Syrah from Charles Smith. 99RP.
Great nose, grippy juicy mouthfeel. Spices dominate on the palate. Smoke leather, dark fruit, vanilla, thick liquorice
On the deeper, richer side of Syrah but still beautiful wine
On the deeper, richer side of Syrah but still beautiful wine
Jul 30th, 2015
Powerful Elegance needs time to harmonize wait 3+ years!
Powerful Elegance needs time to harmonize wait 3+ years!
Dec 7th, 2014