2015 Charles Smith Wines K Vintners Tempranillo El Jefe Stoneridge Vineyard

The 2015 El Jefe Tempranillo Stoneridge Vineyard is generous and fruit-forward, leading with notes of ripe cherries, strawberry preserve and subtle hints of candied peel. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and succulent, with juicy fruit overlaying fine-grained but savory, chewy varietal tannins.

Deep ruby-colored, with an opaque core, the 2015 Tempranillo El Jefe Stoneridge Vineyard is 100% varietal. Charles and Brennon commented that they do a lot of cluster shaping with Tempranillo to get everything evenly ripe at the same time. Destemmed and aged in 40% new barrique, it reveals a terrific bouquet of black cherries, toasted spice, dried Provençal herbs, and hints of graphite. Medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant and layered on the palate, with fine yet certainly present tannin, it will cruise for a decade. One of the highlight tastings I do in Washington State is unquestionably with Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who together produce a sensational lineup of Rhône and Bordeaux blends, as well as a seriously good Tempranillo and Sangiovese. The majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated cuvees have been moved from the K Vintners label to the Wine of Substance label, which are also reviewed in this report. All the Rhône blends are not destemmed, see native ferments, and are aged mostly in used French oak. These are the real deal and are brilliant wines.