The Substance brand, launched in 2015, was created with the sole purpose of "producing the best value Cabernet in America."
It is made using traditional methods including spontaneous fermentation, barrel aging and bottling unfiltered and unclarified.
In short, Charles makes wines on a larger scale with the same integrity he does in small, handmade batches.
It's rude to point fingers, but this is Cabernet! Cassis, blackberry, suede, pencil shavings.
Infinitely smooth.
All of our partner vineyards are farmed using the latest sustainable methods.
Sportfisher 17%, Painted Hills 16%, Badger Mountain 13%, Coyote 10%, Frenchman Hills 9%, Rosebud 8%, Goose Ridge 8%, Malachek 7%, Golden West 7%, Northridge 5% 2022 was a special year for Washington State grapes.
What started as a late spring gave way to a mild, warm summer and then culminated in one of the longest autumns we've ever experienced.
Our vineyards, which produce excellent grapes every year, have this year harvested fruit suitable for making a very special wine.
This wine is firm, bright and has a beautiful aroma.
We look forward to watching this wine evolve and delight us for years to come! Founded in Walla Walla, Washington, winemaker Charles Smith is the only person to have been awarded Winemaker of the Year by both Wine Enthusiast (2014) and Food & Wine (2009).
His wines have received 141 ratings of 95 or above and 588 ratings of 90 or above from major wine publications such as Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, and continue to receive further acclaim.
The brand was started with a singular vision: to create the best value Cabernet Sauvignon in America.
“How is it made?” Traditional winemaking.
Natural fermentation.
Barrel aged.
And bottled without filtration or fining.
In other words, it is the same technique used for making wine in very small quantities, by hand, but on a larger scale.
The wine is clearly conveyed in black.
"This is Cabernet Sauvignon.
"The CS label identifies the wine as made by Charles Smith.
They also produce limited edition single vineyard, single expression and Bordeaux varietal wines.
and a Loire-style single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc.
This is the latest chapter in the story of Charles Smith and his wines.