Charles & Charles
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| The Charles & Charles project is a collaboration between Charles Smith and Charles Bieler of Three Thieves, Bieler Pere et Fils, and Sombra Mezcal. The Charles & Charles portfolio includes a red blend, chardonnay and rose from Columbia Valley vineyards. With an abstract play on the American Flag (designed by the historic Nashville poster shop, Hatch Show Print), the labels showcase the intent to provoke thought of the future while honoring the past. The Columbia Valley, Washington’s famous wine producing district, is an inland area which is located 4~5-hour drive from Seattle. About 15,000 years ago, the Columbia Valley was flooded by a series of ice age floods that deposited silt and sand over the entire area. The sediments eposited by the floods now make up the area's present-day sandy and gravelly soils. These conditions are ideal for grapevines and fruit development and allow all our vineyards to be planted on their own roots. The northerly latitude means more sunlight during the growing months which allows extended phenolic development, embodying unusual texture and naturally soft tannins. Large diurnal swings (30+ degrees on average between high and low temperatures) throughout the Columbia Valley ensures natural acidity and finesse. |
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Charles and Charles ChardonnayAVA : Columbia Valley Grape Variety : Chardonnay Price: 2,322 yen / including sales tax Aromas are dominated by quince, Pippin apples and notes of spice, molasses and warm caramel. These flavors carry on to the palate where they also pick up slight tropical notes of guava and wet stones. The palate is quite rich and broad, but still vibrant and lingers on the finish. 22% of the wine was aged in medium toast new French Oak, in which that same 22% was also barrel-fermented. All lots were on their lees for eight months with lees stirring every month. |
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Charles and Charles Red Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah)AVA : Columbia Valley Grape Variety : Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Price: 2,322 yen / including sales tax The Syrah was fermented whole cluster with stems in stainless tanks and with wild yeast. The Cabernet Sauvignon was fermented separately, whole berry without stems, also with native yeast. Once fermentation was complete, both the Cabernet and Syrah stayed on their skins for an average of another 27 days to grab even more extraction and complexity. This process is especially important to bring the wine structure and intensity even at relatively low alcohol level. The resulting wine is bold, rich and textured but not over the top ? it remains wonderfully restrained and focused. Aromatically, there are rich black plum and cherry notes along with smoke, herbs and gravel. |
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Charles and Charles RoseAVA : Columbia Valley Grape Variety : Syrah blended with small amount of south France varietals; Mourvedre, Cinsault, Counoise and Grenache. Price: 2,322 yen / including sales tax Syrah dominates the blend, but with important supporting roles of other Rhone varieties. The color is gorgeous and vibrant pink with streaks of salmon and fuchsia edges. Wild strawberry and watermelon aromas are interwoven with Herbs de Provence, citrus and mineral notes. These same flavors carry through to the palate where they intensify with a surprisingly broad and plush mouth feel that concludes with snappy acidity. The winemakers’ goal is to create a tug-of-war of flavors between red fruit and savory notes, allowing the red fruit to just barely win out. |
Special Offer
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Charles and Charles Special Set (6 bottles)Price: 12,000 yen / including sales tax This set is a combination of three items of Charles and Charles and three items, Riesling, Merlot, and Syrah, from Charles Smith Wines. It is a must-buy for Charles Smith fans! |