Let's save Charles Smith's reputation!

 LOL. Tonight I opened 2014 El Jefe Tempranillo. 95 points Robert Parker and he nailed it, though I predicted (after tasting and before checking scores) 96 points, as Jane is my witness. This is so smooth, so big, and it's in my wheelhouse with lovely non-black-fruit flavors of purple berries and iron and bull's blood. The oak is lovely. Lots of complexity. I'm a fan! This is a $55 wine that is worth it!

Face to face: 2018 Cinder Syrah vs 2015 K Vintners "The Beautiful" Syrah

Wow. Seldom do you have a chance to compare two such different, yet fascinating, Syrahs.

1. In this corner, we have the 2015 K Vintners "The Beautiful" Syrah. 97 points and $60. 

2. In that corner, there is the 2018 Cinder Syrah (Snake River Valley). It's won several awards and is $30.

Charles Smith is easily one of the greatest success stories of Walla Walla wine. He worked his butt off and achieved amazing wine success. Sold for ?$20M? ?$200M? I forget the number. Good for him. On the one hand it was well-deserved, but on the other, I ask... really? This wine came to us during my stint on his mailing list. The wine had a 97 point nose that's for sure. Just angelic. But the palate fell to maybe 91. It was fine, but not earth-shaking. After one day, the nose (formerly purple fruits) had morphed to a GREAT black olive note, but the palate was even more pedestrian. Today, at 5 years old (which is NOT too old for a great Syrah), I'd give the wine 88 points or so. Respectable and fun, but worth $60? No. Effing. Way. We had this with La Bottega's braised pork shoulder (Covid take out). I've had many GREAT GREAT GREAT Charles Smith wines, and this was in that part of the baseball field, but it fell short.

Now, to Cinder. Their wines are fresh, new, and exciting. The winemaker/owner trained at Chat St Michelle, and is really inspired; she makes wonderful wines. The staff at the winery calls this Syrah "Silk, Smoke, and Chai." I get the silk and chai but not the smoke. This one's power is in the palate, not the bouquet. We had this with grass-fed Oregon Valley Farms' beef tenderloin, and slow-sauteed green beans, and mashed potatoes with garlic and au jus gravy. It delivers more satisfaction than Charles' wine, and certainly so in terms of QPR quality-price ratio). But both are quite good. 

We who can try such wines are fortunate. If you are one such person, thank you for taking time out to find ways to help those less fortunate. Lately, we have supported the Chinook Nation, the Clark County Food Bank, OPB (some of the best journalism in the US), and some others.