The Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon — labeled simply “Cs” on its periodic-table-style label — is one of the great value reds on our list here in West Seattle. It’s the work of Charles Smith, the Washington winemaker behind the Substance project, who set out to make seriously good, single-varietal Cabernet from the Columbia Valley at a price you’d actually pour on a weeknight. We keep it by the glass because it delivers far more than its price suggests: dark, generous, and easy to love.
About the Winery
Charles Smith made his name as one of Washington State’s most recognizable winemakers, known for bold, no-nonsense wines and stark black-and-white labels. The Wines of Substance brand was built around a straightforward idea — produce honest, varietally true wines that taste like where they come from. The Cabernet is made using traditional methods: native fermentations, barrel aging, and bottling unfined and unfiltered, so the wine arrives in the glass with all of its texture intact.
Region & Grape
This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Washington’s Columbia Valley, the warm, high-desert growing region east of the Cascades that produces much of the state’s best red wine. The big diurnal temperature swings — hot days, cool nights — let Cabernet ripen fully while holding onto acidity and structure. The result is a Cabernet with the ripe fruit of a warm climate and the backbone of a cooler one.
Tasting Notes
Expect a full-bodied, robust red with aromas of cassis, blackberry, and plum, lifted by notes of tobacco, earth, and a faint floral edge. The palate is smooth and layered, with ripe dark fruit framed by supple tannins. It finishes long and harmonious — polished rather than rough, which is part of why it punches above its weight.
What to Pair It With
A Cabernet this fruit-forward and structured loves red meat. Reach for our NY Strip Steak or the Delmonico Steak Bites from our shareables — the wine’s tannins cut right through the richness. The Steak Tip Fettuccine is another natural match. See everything on our dine-in menu.
How We Pour It at Camp West
We offer the Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon by the glass at $13 and by the bottle at $44 — a friendly pour to settle into for the evening, or a bottle to share across the table.
FAQ
Is Wines of Substance a Washington wine?
Yes. It’s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley in Washington State, made by winemaker Charles Smith.
What does the “Cs” on the label mean?
“Cs” is the Substance brand’s nod to the periodic table — Cs stands for Cabernet Sauvignon, the single grape in this bottle.
Is it a good value?
It’s widely regarded as one of the best value Cabernets coming out of Washington, which is exactly why we pour it by the glass.
Ready to try it? Book a table, see the full beverage menu, or browse our wine list.