Our Operatives love Charles Smith’s incredible wines and, because you’ve requested more, Agent Red scored you today’s elegant, juicy Charles Smith Wines 2014 “Casa Smith” Northridge Vineyard Wahluke Slope Primitivo.

This wine, a genetic cousin of Zinfandel, is a great one from this rockstar winemaker!

Today’s wine was made by none other than superstar winemaker, Charles Smith. Mister Smith’s ‘iron fist in the velvet glove’ winemaking style has earned him the respect and adoration of wine drinkers around the world. Charles Smith’s wines are consistently among the highest rated - and that’s no wonder. His wines are amazing.

The Charles Smith Wines 2014 “Casa Smith” Northridge Vineyard Wahluke Slope Primitivo has received the praise of many a wine critic and all of us here at Wine Spies HQ adore it. For the price, you’ll feel like you stole the wine from us.

Fragrant aromas sing out on the nose with brambly blueberry, blackberry and wild strawberry, followed by spice box, black licorice, smoked meats, grilled cherry, chocolate, subtle dried savory herb and a hint of cracked pepper.

This wine bursts with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, spice box, bramble, black licorice, toasted oak, wild strawberry, savory spice, slate mineral, cracked pepper

Primitivo, a native grape of southern Italy can trace its earliest heritage back to ancient Greece. Genetically, it is nearly identical to Zinfandel with Zin having the identical DNA as the clone of Primitivo found in and around Puglia Italy.

Primitivo gets its name from the monks who tended this varietal, as they noticed it was one of the first to ripen amongst their vines. Known for its rich and vibrant color, aromas and flavors of zesty cherry and spice, Primitivo is best enjoyed young (within five or so years of bottling), however this wine can and does improve with cellaring as well.

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Here’s what the wine press has to say:

91 points, Sean P. Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast - “This variety is a niche player in the state, but this wine shows its promise. Aromas of cigar box, mineral, herb and red fruit are followed by a plush full fruit palate. It brings unabashed appeal.”

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90 points - Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - “Another beauty is the 2014 Wahluke Slope Primitivo, which comes all from the Northridge Vineyard. It offers a complex, brambly, spice, licorice and sweetly-fruited feel, as well as medium-bodied richness, excellent freshness and a great finish. Drink this beauty anytime over the coming 5-6 years. The Casa Smith brand is reserved for the Italian themed wines from Charles Smith.”

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Antonio Galloni, Vinous - “Bright medium red. Cherry, blackberry and menthol on the nose, which is ripe but not at all pruney. Juicy, spicy red fruit flavors are nicely lifted by savory herbs and mint. In a polite style but with good intensity. These eminently food-friendly Italian varietal bottlings from Charles Smith hardly taste like wines from the desert.”