Smith & Hook
Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
Central Coast, California, USA
Still a good cab but not as good as previous vintages. A bit unfortunate, but this wine has gone full blown super market class.
Still a good cab but not as good as previous vintages. A bit unfortunate, but this wine has gone full blown super market class.
Mar 4th, 2024First tasting of the ‘19 cab. Very consistent with previous vintages. Opens up quickly to layers of cassis. Fruit forward, but not overly so. Mellow tannins. Very good, and great value. Rating affirmed Halloween ‘21.
First tasting of the ‘19 cab. Very consistent with previous vintages. Opens up quickly to layers of cassis. Fruit forward, but not overly so. Mellow tannins. Very good, and great value. Rating affirmed Halloween ‘21.
Aug 29th, 2021Always liked past vintages. The ‘18 doesn’t disappoint. Smooth with a good dose of vanilla., and mellow tannins. Their signature style. And still a great value, too.
Always liked past vintages. The ‘18 doesn’t disappoint. Smooth with a good dose of vanilla., and mellow tannins. Their signature style. And still a great value, too.
Sep 12th, 2020New vintage, same solid cab. Smooth and powerful. Great value too.
New vintage, same solid cab. Smooth and powerful. Great value too.
Dec 27th, 2019
This Cabernet Sauvignon from the Central Coast in California is a great pour and drink, yummy wine. Showing black fruits, with chocolates, spices, peppercorn, coffee, mocha, toast, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices and earth.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Nice finish with spices and soft tannins.
14.8% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$18.
This Cabernet Sauvignon from the Central Coast in California is a great pour and drink, yummy wine. Showing black fruits, with chocolates, spices, peppercorn, coffee, mocha, toast, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices and earth.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Nice finish with spices and soft tannins.
14.8% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$18.
Solid. Jammy, balanced, solid fruit and oak. Enjoyable consistent and would buy again, but similarly would not go out of my way for.
Solid. Jammy, balanced, solid fruit and oak. Enjoyable consistent and would buy again, but similarly would not go out of my way for.
Jul 16th, 2019
Peppered blackberry jam, minor oak influence, young.
Peppered blackberry jam, minor oak influence, young.
Deep red with dark berry fruit aromas and some oaky notes. On the palate ripe blackberry with cherry flavors, oak, pepper and some hints of vanilla spice. Nice mouthfeel, good balance, fine tannins, medium finish ending with soft oak. Tasting Sample.
Deep red with dark berry fruit aromas and some oaky notes. On the palate ripe blackberry with cherry flavors, oak, pepper and some hints of vanilla spice. Nice mouthfeel, good balance, fine tannins, medium finish ending with soft oak. Tasting Sample.
Jun 9th, 2018It is time for my Friday's Cabernet fix. This week it's from California.
Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose with blackberries, black currant, black cherry, vanilla, light cedar, coffee, burned sugar, chocolates, mocha, spices, light vegetables, eucalyptus and peppercorn.
Dry on the palate with black currants, cherries, black plums, vanilla, cedar, licorice, milk chocolates, mocha, dark coffee and peppercorn.
Long finish with medium round tannins, tangy cranberries and chocolates.
This is a nice Cabernet from the Central Coast in California. Concentrated and somewhat smooth. Well-balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food. Showing mild complexity and will be good in the next few years.
I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.
Needs an hour in a decanter to open up properly and show some tannins.
Aged for 12 months in 60% new French Oak barrels.
14.8% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$20.
It is time for my Friday's Cabernet fix. This week it's from California.
Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose with blackberries, black currant, black cherry, vanilla, light cedar, coffee, burned sugar, chocolates, mocha, spices, light vegetables, eucalyptus and peppercorn.
Dry on the palate with black currants, cherries, black plums, vanilla, cedar, licorice, milk chocolates, mocha, dark coffee and peppercorn.
Long finish with medium round tannins, tangy cranberries and chocolates.
This is a nice Cabernet from the Central Coast in California. Concentrated and somewhat smooth. Well-balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food. Showing mild complexity and will be good in the next few years.
I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.
Needs an hour in a decanter to open up properly and show some tannins.
Aged for 12 months in 60% new French Oak barrels.
14.8% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$20.
The ‘16 vintage has arrived. Excited to do a first tasting. The ‘15 was delicious and a great value. Very tight right now - 89 Pts . 3/25/18: a quarter later I am upgrading to 90 points. Tannins are still firm, but layers of fruit are starting to integrate nicely. Decanting required.
The ‘16 vintage has arrived. Excited to do a first tasting. The ‘15 was delicious and a great value. Very tight right now - 89 Pts . 3/25/18: a quarter later I am upgrading to 90 points. Tannins are still firm, but layers of fruit are starting to integrate nicely. Decanting required.
Dec 22nd, 2017