Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2018

In the mid-1970’s, the Smith horse ranch and Hook cattle ranch located in the highlands of Montery County became a winery when Nicky and Gaby Hahn founded Hahn Estate and Smith & Hook wineries. Smith Vineyard, home to their namesake winery, and Hook Vineyard, just to the southeast, are located above the Salinas Valley in California’s rugged Central Coast appellation. Among the family’s inaugural releases in 1980 was a Cabernet Sauvignon produced from those two vineyards and Smith & Hook Cabernets are still going strong today.  

This Reserve 2018 is seductively deep and vibrant brick red with hues of crimson, and aromas of purple flowers, red cherries, cassis, cedar, warm gravel and graphite. With time, the nose on this wine continues to evolve, revealing plum, leather and tobacco accents. The palate is youthful and vibrant, balancing on the lighter side of blue and black fruits and berries. A second sip introduces cherry candy and wet rock minerality. A third sip brings forest floor bramble and dried herb notes. The wine is in constant motion, playfully dancing across the palate until it dissolves into dusty, fine tannins.