Charles Smith
Charles Smith produces wines from Washington's Walla Walla Valley, a region in the Columbia Valley known for structured reds built on Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The winery's portfolio centers on these varieties, with Royal City Syrah and Stoneridge Vineyard bottlings—a Cabernet-Syrah blend and a varietal Syrah—anchoring the range. Wine Enthusiast and Decanter have rated these wines, with Royal City Syrah reaching 97 points and the Stoneridge Cabernet-Syrah blend at 95.5 points. Walla Walla's warm days and cooling nights create conditions for ripe, full-bodied reds with the tannin structure and depth the region is recognized for. The winery's focus on single-vineyard and flagship expressions reflects the terroir-driven approach common to serious producers in this part of Washington.
Critics
Wine Enthusiast, Decanter