Rich aromas of red plum, black plum, blackberry and American cherry, with hints of dried herbs and violets. The palate is smooth, with flavors of dark fruits, plums, blackberries, roasted almonds and warm spices, with a pleasant and long finish. It pairs well with duck confit, cold meats, and salads with crispy prosciutto and pomegranate. Merlot and Petite Syrah are grown in two AVAs: Arroyo Seco and San Antonio Valley. These two AVAs are grown in regions with higher temperatures, resulting in thicker grape skins and more concentrated flavor. The Malbec comes from the company's Hook Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, while the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot come from the San Antonio Valley. The 2019 growing season in Arroyo Seco and San Antonio Valley began with below-average rainfall, necessitating irrigation just as the vines woke up. Temperatures were mild from the beginning of the growing season until Veraison, so canopy and cluster growth progressed smoothly. Several heat waves occurred in the latter half of the growing season, which slowed down the speed of ripening a little, but the result was a more concentrated fruit. While looking for a vineyard in the mid-1970s, Nikki Hahn discovered the Smith Ranch, a horse ranch, and the Hook Ranch, a cattle ranch for generations, in Monterey's Santa Lucia Highlands. I decided to plant grapes. So Nicky released a wine named Smith & Hook in honor of them. Since the highly acclaimed first vintage in 1980, the wines have continued to be produced, and the 2006 vintage, with new packaging, continues to express the heritage of the area and Nicky's pioneering spirit.