The fruit for this wine comes from four prestigious appellations of the Central Coast: Arroyo Seco for structure and backbone; San Antonio Valley for rich plum and currant flavors; Hames Valley for dark skin color and intense blackberry and spice aromas; and Paso Robles for black cherry notes and seductively round and supple tannins. The result is a spirited, layered and luscious Cabernet Sauvignon. After harvest, we barrel-ferment Smith & Hook in French oak, beautifully melding each vineyard’s distinctive flavors into a robust and richly layered blend. We age this Cabernet Sauvignon in French oak for up to 10 months. Fragrant aromas of plum and black cherry find perfect balance with hints of vanilla, cola, cloves and cocoa dust. Right on the heels of all that aromatic intensity are interwoven layers of blackberry, boysenberry, black currant, dark plums and mocha. This wine is full bodied with supple tannins and a long, generous finish. A bouquet bursting with notes of dark fruit and hints of spice leads into a structured palate of bright plum, boysenberry, and cherry. The initial fruitiness is complemented by alluring notes of vanilla cream and rich cacao. Expansive flavors and balanced tannins carry through to the smooth, lavish finish. The robust flavors are a great complement to braised short ribs, mushroom stroganoff, or a charred gruyere burger.
