Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah 2015

Medium purple color; blackberry, blueberry on the nose; blackberry, blueberry, cherry, pinch of plum, some smoke, meat, and tobacco on the palate.

Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah 2015

Medium body, playful tannins, medium acidity (3.89 pH). Nice freshness. Forget the hip name, this is not an Aussie massive fruit and alcohol play. It is 97% syrah, 3% viognier from Washington State; the fruit is almost delicate with sweetness, the alcohol 13.5%. While there is not much complexity or depth, it is a fun, clean, easy drinker at a nice price. This is a buy it and drink it wine.

Winemaker Charles Smith is a self-taught wine wunderkind. He started Charles Smith Wines in 2006 with the intent to create wines that would be enjoyed now, soon after release, and that also were true to the varietal grape and the vineyard, and particularly targets millennials in its marketing.

Wine & Spirits named Smith’s K Vintners “Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years” in 2008 and as “Winery of the Year.” Food & Wine named Smith “Winemaker of the Year” in 2009. Seattle Magazine named Smith “Winemaker of the Year” in 2010. Wine Enthusiast named Smith “Winemaker of the Year” in 2014. Whew. That is a lot of big-time baubles to accumulate early and quickly in a career. In late 2016, Smith cashed in by selling his brands to Constellation Brands, the world’s largest winemaker, for $120 million. Smith remains as a consultant, and retained ownership of K Vintners.

In addition to Charles Smith Wines, other Smith-founded brands include Sixto, Charles & Charles, Vino, Wines of Substance, Secco Italian Bubbles, and Casasmith. Google K Vintners for link to a neat opening video with Charles Smith laying out his mission. Three tasting rooms demonstrate Smith’s Washington embrace: Charles Smith Wines Jet City is located next to main runway of Boeing Field in Seattle, Downtown Walla Walla is located in converted auto-repair warehouse and invites sidewalk seating in Walla Walla, K Vintners Tasting Room is located at the base of the Blue Mountains on historic farmland homesteaded in 1853 and adjacent to a farmhouse built in 1872.

Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah 2015 is simple but tasty effort; clean presentation of fruits; no over-ripeness or cloying confected candyland creation. Pop and pour, enjoy with pizza or wide range of comfort food while kicking back and binging on Netflix. $17-18

https://www.charlessmithwines.com

Charles Smith Wines winery

Winemaker Charles Smith

Art Den Hoed vineyard