Bob McDonald

9.5

I’ll just commence this tasting note to see if it is accepted. Dense Ruby in colour. Blackcurrant and tobacco notes - ripe blue and black fruits - luscious texture. Anytime I’ve had a Napa (or Washington State) Cabernet I have always been impressed - probably better than most good Aussie Cabernets (and more expensive). Has a good future but irresistible right now. Have the last bottle in a year or two. Interestingly reverse osmosis was used to reduce the alcohol. Now at 13.9%. — a month ago

Ezekiel James Hampton

9.5

The 11 vintage is fantastic now! Lots of powdery concrete, white pepper, blue fruit and cinnamon. — 4 years ago

Carter Pelham

9.0

Superb.
Strong aromas of dark chocolate
Cooling blue fruit, characteristic WA syrah fruit profile to me
Pretty low acid
On opening felt slightly unbalanced, continued to integrate over 2 hours
Paired wonderfully with salame piccante, bellavitano, and netflix — 6 years ago

with Linh

J Greene

9.2

Deep, deep ruby and not a hint of browning on the rim even though it’s 12 years old. Oaky vanilla with blueberry pie and some spicy notes. Lots more blue/black fruit on the palate. Super well balanced and enjoyed chewing on some med/fine tannins. Got two more of these and think I’ll wait a while. Not even close to showing its age. I think the scores will continue to climb on this one. — 7 months ago

Ron Milton

10

Perfect wine in every respect. 8+ years old and the fruit was in perfect balance with sweet round tannins. Deep cassis and blackberry with some blue fruits, violets and a candied rich long finish! — 4 years ago

Vin d’Ottawa

9.2

Drier and even more delicate than the typical Pinot Noir. — 6 years ago

with Gillian

Brian S

9.3

Dried blackberry, dried blue berry, black currant, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, jerky, white pepper, eucalyptus, untanned leather, graphite, — 7 years ago

with Ellie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

After reading the story of this producer, I inspired to try it. Especially, at $59.99 for a quality Napa Cabernet. These two brother’s are true pioneers of the Napa Valley. They do their own thing. Don’t follow trends and are not aggressive with their bottle price, nor do they really wish to. More rare than common in today’s Napa Cabernet market. I have a lot of respect for that and Napa Pioneers.

This also drinks pretty well for a young Napa Cabernet. I was expecting bigger/bolder based on write up. Not that this won’t benefit from cellaring.

The fruits are nicely ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & blueberry hues. I was expecting more teeth. Think it is showing the finesse & balance of most 21’s I’ve had. Dark spice, grilled meats, light black pepper, barrel dust, dry tobacco, leather, savory herbaceousnes, moist clays, dry crushed rocks, cola, flower bouquet of red, blue & purple fresh flowers, rainfall acidity with a well balanced, softly structured, elegant finish that lasts just over a minute and lands crushed rocks and touch of spice.

It will be interesting to see if this shows more in 5 years.

Photos of; Smith Madrone vineyards and brothers Stuart and Charles Smith — a year ago

Nathan Renfro

9.4

Dark ruby colored. Nose of ripe dark fruit. Mouth coating blue and black fruit. Ripe and fresh tasting. Fruit moves to oak tones with mellowed tannins. Appears to just be hitting its stride. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

Similar experience to last having this eight or so months ago. Rich and powerful without being out of balance. Inky blue and black fruits, sweet oak and vanilla tobacco on the nose. The palate here was expansive and a bit wild (in a good way)...signature mountain structure, dusty youthfulness in the ripe fruits. Dark chocolate & plum on the finish. Delicious now but probably better in a few years! — 7 years ago

with Jack, Mark and 4 others