Still a can’t miss Costco pick for the Cab lovers? We review the Charles Smith Substance Cs Cabernet Sauvignon.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Goose Ridge, Painted Hills, Badger Mountain and Sportfisher vineyards in the Columbia Valley, Washington State.
The wine undergoes whole berry fermentation and spends about 35 days on the skins. It is then aged for 11 months in French oak barriques, about 25% new. It has no residual sugar.
The Substance Cabernet Sauvignon from Charles Smith has an SRP of $17 but we found it for just $13 at Costco.
From the winery:
The quality of being important, valid and significant.
Tasting Notes: “Cabernet Sauvignon elixir. Blackberry, currant, pencil lead, cedar. Layered and deep, resting in the glass, inviting you to sip and sip. Rich, complex, and just plain delicious – the best vintage to date.” – Winemaker, Charles Smith
Vintage Notes: 2021 was one of the warmest vintages to date in Washington. Bud break started early due to nice weather and moderate temperatures, then June was one of the warmest in recorded history, resulting in very small berries. Veraison and the beginning of the ripening season were nice and even, leading to excellent fruit with incredible concentration. Overall, 2021 is a distinct and lovely vintage, producing fantastic wines to enjoy now and into the future.
Vinted & Bottled by Wines of Substance
14.5% Alcohol
As we noted the last two times we reviewed this wine (the 2016 and 2019 vintages), Washington State + Cabernet Sauvignon + Charles Smith + Costco = a surefire formula for success. This is no less true today with the 2021 vintage.
We’re big fans of each of these things individually so the combination is a dream come true! And never fear if you don’t have a Costco nearby, this wine should be widely available you just might pay a tad bit more.
The 2021 Substance Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a wonderful, classic Cab aroma of blueberry, raspberry, black cherry, vanilla, cedar, chocolate, violets, pencil shavings, a little mint and more.
Tasting the silky, medium to full-bodied wine reveals lots of juicy candied cherry and other berry fruit in this very dry wine plus licorice and all the other flavors from the nose returning wonderfully in the mouth. Structured and balanced, this is easy to drink and super delicious.
It ends dry, very long and a bit grippy on the lingering finish that also features touches of cola and vanilla-soaked ripe berry fruit. It was just as good on day 2.
This is definitely still a stunner, especially for the Costco price. There’s not much else to say about this one except go get some!
2021 Charles Smith Substance Cabernet Sauvignon
OVERALL RATING: 8.5
BULK BUY
Looking for more of the Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $25? Check out our giant list!
You can also find more of our Costco wine recommendations here.
Cheers
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