“At the top of the pyramid, flat-out incredible wines that I wish every reader could taste.” – Wine Advocate

We LOVE it when THE Charles Smith comes into play! This is from the man, the myth himself. A straight-up legendary punch delivered right into your flavor muzzle.

And at what price?! Shut the front door!

Like what Jeb Dunnuck said, we feel lightheaded in the presence of a K: “One of my favorite tastings during my Washington trip is with Charles Smith and his right-hand man, Brenna Leighton have one of the most stacked lineups out there… they are at the top of the pyramid, flat-out incredible wines that I wish every reader could taste. As I’ve said in the past, these wines are the real deal!”

Yep Jeb, this one is “stacked up” to the brim, with electric points, delivering 97K watts for a mere 45 bucks like a Porsche Taycan that never stops at a gas station. Kline Vineyard sits at 850 feet in the Southwestern corner of Walla Walla Valley and combines perfect elements for epic Syrah. High elevation and wind-blown shallow soils on volcanic basalt which give the wine in our glass superb definition and freshness. Think intense black fruit and minerality with gorgeous notes of leather, jam and fresh toast. It just does not quit on the immense finish, seamless yet strapping, beating your taste buds down one by one to silky submission. Please and thank you!

Vinous is spot on: “Brennon Leighton has mastered combining power with energy and freshness at K Vintners… powerful, dark and brooding, yet also display an unmistakable expression of terroir.”

Brought down what we could from Washington - these never stay up long though - fair warning.

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“The 2018 Syrah Klein Vineyard is another crazy complex, nuanced Syrah that’s from a site in the Walla Walla Valley. Not destemmed and brought up in used barrels, its ruby/plum color is followed by a gorgeous nose of red and black currants, smoked meat, roasted herbs, and bacon fat, with a touch of shiitake and foresty, earthy notes in the background. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, yet seamless and weightless on the palate, it can be drunk any time over the coming 15-20 years.”