Smith Madrone

Estate Bottled Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

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 day ago

Daniel, Dawn and 8 others liked this

Ming L

Big fan of their Riesling!

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Cabernet Franc 2021

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Fantastic Cab Franc! Deep ruby color. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry and Anaheim pepper skin. Smooth flavors of dark and red fruit, oak with a tannic finish. — 2 months ago

Mike, Doug and 7 others liked this

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Chardonnay 2023

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

Beautiful and light on its feet. Dry - very well made! Fantastic fruit. Very fresh. Honey. Meyer lemon, mandarine, just a faint touch of 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN) aka Diesel. Touch bitter on the back palate. As a chemist i just had to bring this up. At 24 suns in Oceanside. 2 Michelin Chefs cooking. Grab this bargain before it is gone!!!!!! — 3 months ago

Tom and Shay liked this

V Madrone

St. Helena Old Vines Petite Sirah 2014

John Malcolm

9.4

Rated this over five years ago. All I can say is “ditto” — a month ago

Monticello Vineyards (Corley Family)

Estate Grown Oak Knoll District Pinot Noir 2019

Seth Masterson

9.0

Perfectly ripe red fruit condition, Red plum and red cherry. Secondary black plum.
Texture is rounded and soft with a good acid balance.

Too much new oak for my preference, it distracts from the quality of the fruit. — a month ago