Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, lemon, honey, peach, oak and hints of almond. Great acidity and balance. — 2 months ago

John Malcolm

9.4

Rated this over five years ago. All I can say is “ditto” — 5 months ago

Jody Scharf

9.3

Jammy, aging nicely, not sure when peak is but feels close. — 2 years ago

Michele Hug

9.5

Opens up super nicely, immediately pleasant on the nose. Plummy and buttery, classic example of a good Napa cab. — 3 years ago

Stuart Pollack

9.1

Correct and classic California Cabernet. Nothing memorable but nothing wrong with it. A one-dimensional wine. — 3 months ago

Karen Tripson

9.1

Good by me. Buy again. — 7 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.0

Pretty rando blend of tannat, cab, petit, and zin. We’ll rounded, tannin as expected. Earth and cherry. — 2 years ago

with Natasha

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 — 4 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.0

Zin doesn’t get much better than this! Central coast babay! — 2 years ago

with Natasha

Jason Keefer

9.2

Cinsault the man hitter on this wine, light and refreshing, served a little chilled, great food wine, complex but not over bearing! — 4 years ago