I got this offer last woot. I had a bottle at a Christmas party. Cesare noted tropical tastes. I thought it tasted like pineapples with maybe some vanilla. It was fun to drink a wine so unlike anything I had tried before. I still have a few bottles left for another day.
Wife: Do we have any red wine?
Me: You just yelled at me for all the wine deliveries.
Wife: Oh, right.
Me: They’ve got a white wine up right now.
Wife: OK. Last one though.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2013 Charles Smith Viognier - $63 = 25.39%
I enjoy the “otherwise” white varietals - Viognier, Roussane, Marsanne, these 3 blended, and so many others. I’ve ordered and can’t wait to taste it. Viognier is often a very sensually aromatic wine - I don’t see any aroma notes in the description. @Smithwinefamily would you please chime in?
@XsanityX “Lemon thyme scent, fresh bread, ripe stone fruit, and lemon curd” I can say that these characteristics follow through to the pallet along with a richness and minerality cutting through.
@SmithWineFamily@XsanityX I had a bottle of this last night and definitely picked up on the minerality and the fresh bread and lemon thyme. It was pretty fabulous!
We drank a bottle of this last night and it was amazing - not like any wine I’ve had before. Really rich tasting with good minerality. It was fabulous with humus - we finished the bottle before we even started dinner…
@7iffany Are you still looking for a split? I also live near Green Lake (Phinney Ridge area) so it would be an easy handoff. Otherwise I’ll just pick up a 3 pack…
Winery: Wines of Substance
Owner: Charles Smith
Founded: 2006
Location: Walla Wall, WA
In 2006, Charles Smith created Charles Smith Wines which centers around the trend that most people generally consume wine without delay. The intent is to create wines to be enjoyed now, but with typicity of variety (Merlot that tastes like Merlot) and true to the place of origin. The wines are full of flavor, balanced, and approachable.
A self-taught winemaker, Charles is a true artisan and a pioneer in the wine world. In 2008, his winery was recognized by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the “Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years,” and as “Winery of the Year” in their annual buying guide. In 2009, Food & Wine magazine awarded Charles “Winemaker of the Year”, in 2010 Seattle Magazine recognized Charles as their “Winemaker of the Year”, and in 2014, Wine Enthusiast also named him “Winemaker of the Year”.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
I have had so many bad viogniers that I have become gun shy of the varietal. This sounds like a great one though, so of course it comes up during my SIWBM. Wine doesn’t always pair well with fate.
@NightGhost Coming next summer from Michael Bay: GHOSTBOTTERS!!! Which cannot be any worse than the reboot Ghostbusters, what a thorough shit show that was.
@billmort One of my all-time favorite songs by Cream. I knew George Harrison was a guest artist on that tune, but I’m not sure I realized Felix Pappalardi (of Mountain fame) was on there as well. And I have no idea how any of this is pertinent to the current offer.
@Winedavid49 Oh yeah? Did you remember this little nugget: "When it came to designing the label, it had to be a badge-like shape, of course. Uncle Charles chose the original shape of the pocket on a Levi’s pocket tee…his favorite…to represent a badge. Total Americana. "
@maroontigre@Kraxberger@jwhetzel I’m in for a case in the RDU area. Willing to split by 2/3/4 ways. The wallet, wine cellar, and the better half would appreciate it.
For posterity…I just received this today, and holy guacamole are the bottles heavy. The glass is double-thick. The bottles will only fit in the top rack of my wine fridge. There’s nothing bad about this…just an interesting observation (I think the bottles are even thicker than champagne bottles).
@TimW Reminds me of the Monty Python line “Another good fighting wine is “Melbourne Old-and-Yellow”, which is particularly heavy, and should be used only for hand-to-hand combat.”
@NightGhost Ha! These bottles could definitely be used for hand to hand combat! They’re not breaking on someone’s head like in the movies. The wine is pretty great, too. Definitely a red wine drinker’s white wine.
@NightGhost I am not a white wine drinker. I’ll have a dry reisling or a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with Thai, spicy Indian, or fish. You’ll never find me drinking a white wine by itself, and never a chardonnay or pinot grigio. This Viognier, though, I actually drank with molé street tacos, and it actually paired OK. (I couldn’t wait to try it, and that’s what we were having for supper). Not like any Viognier I’ve had (I’ve not had a ton of Viogniers, but I’ve had a few). I definitely prefer a good red over this, but I can drink this white (and that’s a compliment from me).
@TimW We have very different palates (I drink whites about 25% of the time), but as I said earlier, I am very wary of Viognier, having had so many bad ones. The reviews sold me on this one.
@rjquillin I was wondering about the Styrofoam. So that’s just a summer wine shipping thing? I thought maybe because the bottles are so much more hefty that they needed heftier packing material that wouldn’t “squish” under the weight.
@TimW@winedavid49 Recently, the past 5+ years or so at least, styro has been what we see for summer shipping containers. At one time we also saw small frozen “catsup” pouches enclosed, but their affect was likely minimal on keeping bottles chilled due to their small mass. A year or so ago it was hinted we may see additional enhancements in shipping; perhaps in cold truck routing…
About the best packaging I’ve seen from a vendor was a couple good sized frozen packs in the styro which was then enclosed in a thermal insulated bag and boxed. I’ve received some of those where the bottles were actually cool in our mid summer SoCal environment that generally gets cases delivered from NorCal in one or two days.
Still hoping we’ll have an option during the hottest months to delay ship to when things cool back off…
Generally WD does very well, but there can be shipping glitches even his crew can’t anticipate that can leave shipments stranded over hot weekends.
@rjquillin Summer shipping never started until late May/early June on wine.woot. Is it possible that Charles Smith shipped the wine to WCC in styro and they just paid it forward? Because I find it hard to believe that summer shipping is in effect in early April…
I got this offer last woot. I had a bottle at a Christmas party. Cesare noted tropical tastes. I thought it tasted like pineapples with maybe some vanilla. It was fun to drink a wine so unlike anything I had tried before. I still have a few bottles left for another day.
@Twich22 Thank you for your support! We are so glad you enjoy this wine. Rock on!
ASIWBMSTH* - thank you Cesare, WineDavid, and SmithWineFamily. In for a case.
@NightGhost It’s okay. You deserve great wine Thank you so much! Cheers
Conversation that just happened:
Wife: Do we have any red wine?
Me: You just yelled at me for all the wine deliveries.
Wife: Oh, right.
Me: They’ve got a white wine up right now.
Wife: OK. Last one though.
/giphy greasy-welcome-tea
@capnjb awesome.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2013 Charles Smith Viognier - $63 = 25.39%
One of the more interesting whites I have tasting in recent memory. Red drinkers white wine.
@Winedavid49 Ugh, the I only drink Red Wine people annoy the hell out of me. Half asses is what they are!
@Winedavid49 We agree! It’s so rich and delicious.
@bhodilee @Winedavid49 Hey, I resemble that remark. It is not a disdain for white but the love of hops!
@foxrunner @Winedavid49 There is room in my liver for all the worlds alcohols!
@bhodilee @Winedavid49 I have more respect for the Only Reds than for the I only drink white wines ilk. They are the worst.
@billmort @Winedavid49 you mean other than light beer drinkers
@bhodilee @Winedavid49 A true Casemates Gandhi.
@foxrunner @Winedavid49 he’s the skinny guy that was nonviolent and didnt’ eat right? Soooooo…no.
I enjoy the “otherwise” white varietals - Viognier, Roussane, Marsanne, these 3 blended, and so many others. I’ve ordered and can’t wait to taste it. Viognier is often a very sensually aromatic wine - I don’t see any aroma notes in the description. @Smithwinefamily would you please chime in?
@XsanityX “Lemon thyme scent, fresh bread, ripe stone fruit, and lemon curd” I can say that these characteristics follow through to the pallet along with a richness and minerality cutting through.
@SmithWineFamily @XsanityX I had a bottle of this last night and definitely picked up on the minerality and the fresh bread and lemon thyme. It was pretty fabulous!
@lindylouwho @XsanityX Isn’t it lovely? So glad you enjoyed it.
We drank a bottle of this last night and it was amazing - not like any wine I’ve had before. Really rich tasting with good minerality. It was fabulous with humus - we finished the bottle before we even started dinner…
@lindylouwho i’m telling you!
@lindylouwho @Winedavid49 Back off WD. Some of us are facing wallet fatigue here.
@lindylouwho Nice pairing! Will have to give that a try. Hope you had a 2nd bottle for dinner
@lindylouwho I completely agree with this. Great bottle!
Charles Smith Viognier
3 bottles for $61.99 $20.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $184.99 $15.42/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2013 Charles Smith Viognier
Previous offer: 12/5/17
Passed on this when on w00t!, despite the review from Cesare; not sure, at this reduced price, I can do that again.
@rjquillin
I’m tempted, too. Think I’ll sleep on it.
@karenhynes Yes. You are up way too late. Go to bed!!!
@jmdavidson1 @karenhynes And then there is the up too early.
@karenhynes @rjquillin Sounds uncomfortable. I would perhaps suggest you instead ponder it while you sleep and sleep on your mattress.
@karenhynes
Hi everyone! We hope you aren’t “sleeping” on this unique wine. It’ll go fast! We are here if you have any questions. Cheers!
Anybody in Minnesota/South Dakota up for a split?
If anyone(s) in Chicago buy(s) a case, I’d take 3.
@jmdavidson1 Read the blog on wine woot. Nice lab rat report by Caesar.
Anyone in Seattle area (I’m hear Green Lake) up for a split?
@7iffany Are you still looking for a split? I also live near Green Lake (Phinney Ridge area) so it would be an easy handoff. Otherwise I’ll just pick up a 3 pack…
@7iffany @lindylouwho I hope you’ve both visited our Seattle tasting room in Georgetown! You can always meet there to do the trade
/giphy knockout-comedic-feta
Richmond, VA area folks, let me know if anyone wants some bottles.
Finally decided to buy something, went for a case. If any Michigan folks want a few bottles, let me know. I’m in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor.
@Alien88 Thank you!
Anyone in NYC want to split this?
If there is Denver folks I would be willing to buy one off you or trade.
Atlanta, already bought a case and willing to share.
@Cynamon Thank you for your support!
Darn you Casemates!
/giphy fancy-organized-swan
Tasting Notes
Lemon thyme scent, fresh bread, ripe stone fruit, and lemon curd. A rich mouthful of flavors. A long and mineral driven wine.
Specifications
Price Comparison
$279.96/case at Wine.Woot
About The Winery
Winery: Wines of Substance
Owner: Charles Smith
Founded: 2006
Location: Walla Wall, WA
In 2006, Charles Smith created Charles Smith Wines which centers around the trend that most people generally consume wine without delay. The intent is to create wines to be enjoyed now, but with typicity of variety (Merlot that tastes like Merlot) and true to the place of origin. The wines are full of flavor, balanced, and approachable.
A self-taught winemaker, Charles is a true artisan and a pioneer in the wine world. In 2008, his winery was recognized by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the “Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years,” and as “Winery of the Year” in their annual buying guide. In 2009, Food & Wine magazine awarded Charles “Winemaker of the Year”, in 2010 Seattle Magazine recognized Charles as their “Winemaker of the Year”, and in 2014, Wine Enthusiast also named him “Winemaker of the Year”.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Apr 16 - Tuesday, Apr 17
@SmithWineFamily is here answering questions.
(Click their username for recent activity.)
I have had so many bad viogniers that I have become gun shy of the varietal. This sounds like a great one though, so of course it comes up during my SIWBM. Wine doesn’t always pair well with fate.
@NightGhost are you really inspirobot?
@NightGhost You won’t be disappointed! This isn’t like any Viognier you’ve ever tasted.
@bhodilee Certainly not. There is a strict ordinance prohibiting ghosts from serving as bots, which was enacted after the Great Ghost/Bot War of 1449.
@NightGhost Coming next summer from Michael Bay: GHOSTBOTTERS!!! Which cannot be any worse than the reboot Ghostbusters, what a thorough shit show that was.
@bhodilee Human sacrifice, ghosts and bots living together… mass hysteria!
@NightGhost I know, me too; I am ever hopeful. I think that speaks to the few amazing Viogniers I’ve had the pleasure to consume.
Fun fact: “Badge” is from the 1969 song by Cream. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badge_(song)
Had the WW deal in December at $25 a bottle. A no-brainer at this price point.
@billmort One of my all-time favorite songs by Cream. I knew George Harrison was a guest artist on that tune, but I’m not sure I realized Felix Pappalardi (of Mountain fame) was on there as well. And I have no idea how any of this is pertinent to the current offer.
@billmort @ddeuddeg I like to think it is these little odd asides that make a thread a thread and not a pile on the floor.
@bhodilee @billmort Roger that.
@billmort
@billmort i remember Kelly from K Vintners mentioning this tidbit. good song!
@Winedavid49 Oh yeah? Did you remember this little nugget: "When it came to designing the label, it had to be a badge-like shape, of course. Uncle Charles chose the original shape of the pocket on a Levi’s pocket tee…his favorite…to represent a badge. Total Americana. "
@billmort hi thanks for the reference to badge. Just listened to it and remembers fun times
Label on the bottle is badge as was revealed in comments on the late lamented wine.w00t
@TRIPgrad Thanks for clearing that up. LOL.
Any RDU area splitters? I’m thinking about going in for 3 but I’d rather do 6 at the better price.
@maroontigre @Kraxberger @jwhetzel I’m in for a case in the RDU area. Willing to split by 2/3/4 ways. The wallet, wine cellar, and the better half would appreciate it.
@billmort LOL good call. Teamwork!
@SmithWineFamily That’s why they call it Casemates. Please come back soon!
@NightGhost @SmithWineFamily …and bring some of your K Syrah next time.
@billmort @NightGhost Keep an eye out!
I snagged 3 last time and 3 more this time. Still havent tried it but have faith in this producer!
@ern1 a million thanks!
/giphy actual-matchless-tin
For posterity…I just received this today, and holy guacamole are the bottles heavy. The glass is double-thick. The bottles will only fit in the top rack of my wine fridge. There’s nothing bad about this…just an interesting observation (I think the bottles are even thicker than champagne bottles).
@TimW Reminds me of the Monty Python line “Another good fighting wine is “Melbourne Old-and-Yellow”, which is particularly heavy, and should be used only for hand-to-hand combat.”
@NightGhost Ha! These bottles could definitely be used for hand to hand combat! They’re not breaking on someone’s head like in the movies. The wine is pretty great, too. Definitely a red wine drinker’s white wine.
@TimW Can’t wait. My case is due to arrive on Friday.
@NightGhost I am not a white wine drinker. I’ll have a dry reisling or a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with Thai, spicy Indian, or fish. You’ll never find me drinking a white wine by itself, and never a chardonnay or pinot grigio. This Viognier, though, I actually drank with molé street tacos, and it actually paired OK. (I couldn’t wait to try it, and that’s what we were having for supper). Not like any Viognier I’ve had (I’ve not had a ton of Viogniers, but I’ve had a few). I definitely prefer a good red over this, but I can drink this white (and that’s a compliment from me).
@TimW We have very different palates (I drink whites about 25% of the time), but as I said earlier, I am very wary of Viognier, having had so many bad ones. The reviews sold me on this one.
@NightGhost I’ll be interested to hear what you think about it!
Arrived today; in styro.
Kudos to WD and ‘summer shipping’.
@rjquillin I was wondering about the Styrofoam. So that’s just a summer wine shipping thing? I thought maybe because the bottles are so much more hefty that they needed heftier packing material that wouldn’t “squish” under the weight.
@TimW @winedavid49 Recently, the past 5+ years or so at least, styro has been what we see for summer shipping containers. At one time we also saw small frozen “catsup” pouches enclosed, but their affect was likely minimal on keeping bottles chilled due to their small mass. A year or so ago it was hinted we may see additional enhancements in shipping; perhaps in cold truck routing…
About the best packaging I’ve seen from a vendor was a couple good sized frozen packs in the styro which was then enclosed in a thermal insulated bag and boxed. I’ve received some of those where the bottles were actually cool in our mid summer SoCal environment that generally gets cases delivered from NorCal in one or two days.
Still hoping we’ll have an option during the hottest months to delay ship to when things cool back off…
Generally WD does very well, but there can be shipping glitches even his crew can’t anticipate that can leave shipments stranded over hot weekends.
@rjquillin Summer shipping never started until late May/early June on wine.woot. Is it possible that Charles Smith shipped the wine to WCC in styro and they just paid it forward? Because I find it hard to believe that summer shipping is in effect in early April…
@chipgreen my last two cases have been in styro.
This and the Pavi.
@rjquillin Interesting…
Official wine of Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont.