PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Charles Smith made K Vintners one of the best-known names in Washington wine. A former music manager who spent years in Scandinavia, he returned to Walla Walla and opened K Vintners in December 2001, with a black-and-white “K” label that became unmistakable. He was named Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year in 2014, and his wines have earned more than 300 scores of 90 or higher. King Coal is one of his flagship wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend, and the 2020 is the highest-scoring release yet.
It’s made entirely from the Stoneridge Vineyard in the Royal Slope of the Columbia Valley, a site whose topsoil is a layer of caliche and basalt just 6 to 12 inches deep, over a calcium- and iron-rich medium that “forces roots to struggle.” The 2020 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Syrah, from yields of 2.3 tons per acre, fermented with native yeast, with the Cabernet co-fermented as whole berries and the Syrah as whole clusters in French oak tanks, 47 days on the skins. It was then aged 22 months in French oak barriques, about 58-60% new, with just 858 cases produced, at 14% ABV.
The winemaker’s note is characteristically poetic: “Dark, moonlit night with the mystery of a vast ocean. Black cherry entangled in fresh tobacco, cacao bean, wet rock, and dried thyme with the strength, pushing forward the notes of savory compote, leather. Deeper than a crush.”
The Wine Advocate’s Anthony Mueller scored it 98: “Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% Syrah, the 2020 King Coal Stoneridge Vineyard is firmer, darker and fresh with notes of pencil shavings and a juicy and generous core of spicy dark fruits, with delicate dusty red flowers, delightful brown baking spices and dark berries. Full-bodied, fresh and still tight... Buy it, put it directly into your cellar, and forget about it for at least four years. It will go the distance; just be patient.” James Suckling scored it 97: “Meaty and dark-fruited with blackcurrants, peppercorns and charcuterie on the nose. Full-bodied, chewy and firm, with a deep and intense core. Turns to salted chocolate. Pulls you in for more. Better from 2025.” Vinous’s Eric Guido scored it 95 (as supplied).
It’s a big, savory, structured wine, with Syrah adding a plush, meaty dimension to the Cabernet’s graphite and tobacco, and a ten-to-twenty-year cellar candidate. Decant for an hour or more, and serve with ribeye, lamb, venison, and aged cheeses.
K Vintners 2020 King Coal is produced by K Vintners (Charles Smith & Brennon Leighton) in Walla Walla, Washington, from 100% Stoneridge Vineyard in the Royal Slope, Columbia Valley, on caliche and basalt soils. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon (whole-berry co-fermentation) and 24% Syrah (whole cluster), 2.3 tons per acre, native yeast, 47 days on skins, 22 months in French oak barriques (about 58-60% new). 858 cases. 14% ABV, 750ml.
Anthony Mueller, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — 98 Points:
“Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% Syrah, the 2020 King Coal Stoneridge Vineyard is firmer, darker and fresh with notes of pencil shavings and a juicy and generous core of spicy dark fruits, with delicate dusty red flowers, delightful brown baking spices and dark berries. Full-bodied, fresh and still tight... Buy it, put it directly into your cellar, and forget about it for at least four years. It will go the distance; just be patient.”
James Suckling — 97 Points:
“Meaty and dark-fruited with blackcurrants, peppercorns and charcuterie on the nose. Full-bodied, chewy and firm, with a deep and intense core. Turns to salted chocolate. Pulls you in for more. 76% cabernet sauvignon and 24% syrah from Stoneridge Vineyard. Better from 2025.”
Vinous / Antonio Galloni (Eric Guido) — 95 Points (as supplied)
K Vintners (winemaker Charles Smith):
“Dark, moonlit night with the mystery of a vast ocean. Black cherry entangled in fresh tobacco, cacao bean, wet rock, and dried thyme with the strength, pushing forward the notes of savory compote, leather. Deeper than a crush.”
Nose
Blackcurrant and black cherry, with peppercorn, charcuterie, fresh tobacco, pencil shavings, dusty red flowers, and dried thyme.
Palate
Full-bodied, chewy, and firm, with a deep, intense core of spicy dark fruit, cacao, wet rock, brown baking spice, and leather.
Finish
Long, turning to salted chocolate, with savory compote and fine tannin.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Royal Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington |
| Blend | 76% Cabernet Sauvignon · 24% Syrah |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Producer | K Vintners — Charles Smith & Brennon Leighton |
| Vineyard | Stoneridge Vineyard (100%) — caliche and basalt over calcium- and iron-rich soil |
| Winemaking | Native yeast; Cabernet whole-berry and Syrah whole-cluster co-fermentation; 47 days on skins |
| Aging | 22 months in French oak (about 58–60% new) |
| Production | 858 cases |
| ABV | 14% |
| Critics | Wine Advocate 98 · James Suckling 97 · Vinous 95 |
| Style / Identity | A savory, structured, meaty-and-fruity Cabernet-Syrah blend built for the cellar |
| Aromas & Flavors | Blackcurrant, black cherry, tobacco, cacao, wet rock, pencil shavings, charcuterie, salted chocolate |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Decant for an hour or more; serve at about 62-65°F.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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