Spring Lake Winery

Smith Madrone

Estate Bottled Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Earthy nose with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, chocolates, Indian spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, earth, dark chocolates, green vegetables and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, oak, dark chocolates, coffee, spices, earth, black tea, light green vegetables and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a young Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Elegant and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and complex, with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Left Bank Bordeaux.

Needed 3 hours in the decanter to open up properly, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

I've had a few different vintages of this wine and this vintage seems to be more approachable at this young age.

Delicious by itself, and paired beautifully with the beef brisket.

A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70.
— 6 days ago

Tom, Dave and 8 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Always a (relatively) good value for Napa Cab.

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1979

Somm David T
9.2

Oldest wine served at “From the Cellar.” Paired with the dish of event.

I met Tim who was pouring initially. He is the main person behind the VC group that bought the property and three others out of BK in 1999. We all know what happened the next yr with the Glass Fires. Very unfortunate coupled w/ bad timing.

The hope to have all the restoration worked completed by 2030. They have already started replanting the vineyards that were consumed in the fire. Priority number one as it is roughly 7 yrs before you get usable fruit for quality wines.

He brought a 3L of the 79. Mags of 90, 96, 97, 05 & 06 to the event.

The “Grilled Sofrito Lamb Ribs” were off the chain. I had three.
— 2 months ago

Paul, Jay and 9 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T I was just stating my experience; wasn’t trying to say yours was wrong. I know everyone has a different opinion and old bottles bring other variables. I think we agree that it’s a special wine.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

We absolutely do. Cheers! 🍷

Robert Keenan Winery

Reserve Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Inky beast. I’m probably in the Epstein files now. 2030+ for next bottle — 5 months ago

Jenks, Tom and 1 other liked this

Rippon Vineyard

Mature Vine Lake Wanaka Pinot Noir 2010

This was rich and delicious. It was fair enough for Suckling to pose the question “Is this the best NZ Pinot so far”? Ticks all the requisite boxes - ripe red and black fruits, a creamy texture, a nice garrigue herbal note. This Pinot lives up to the gorgeous site - one of the most awesome views you will see from the top of the vineyard over Lake Wanaka. Most impressive. — 6 months ago

Jan, Ira and 20 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Jo is a great host with one of the best winery views in the world. Wines don’t suck either.

Shannon Ridge Vineyard

High Elevation Collection Lake County Petite Sirah 2019

Beaver lake beer wine and spirits $5 cooking wine sale. Can't remember if we aerated it — 8 months ago

Jarvis Winery

Estate Grown Cave Fermented Lake William Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

2016 lite and somewhat dry. Beautiful deep purple color. — 5 years ago

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

2015 vintage. Sampled from Coravin. Medium body. The monstrous tannins tamed somewhat...as they meet a decade+. Absolutely, top-notch nose. If you both respect the exuberance of youth and celebrate the wisdom of age, this is for you. A fascinating, case study currently. 6.24.26. — 7 days ago

Somm, Doug and 5 others liked this
Somm David T

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Own this $39 recent purchase
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Somm David T Picked up a case.. Gotta dig out the invoice but resto cost was in the $30's. Do recall the 1987 vintage being $13.33 a bottle before the brand decided to make this the benchmark it is.

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010

I sort of forgot that today marked the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris and this was the best I could do to celebrate in the moment; a wine from a participating producer but in the red category, instead of white. From magnum, the 2010 “Elivette” pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, Fresno chili, dried purple flowers, purple SweeTarts, tobacco, some dried herbs and fine spices with minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ viscosity and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes form the nose. The finish is long with ferrous minerals. Tasty stuff. Drink now with some patience and through 2040. Bottle No. 095/900 magnums. — a month ago

Matt, Jan and 8 others liked this

Philip Togni Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.6

This is a producer that should be more revered than it is. His 90’s were amongst my favorite Napa Cabernets. Especially, the 94, which is exceptional and I’ve had on 3-4 occasions.

2007 is a grand vintage but this one needs more cellaring. It is still in its adolescence. I would like to try this in another 8-10 yrs. Don’t get me wrong, this drinks nicely now but it’s best is still ahead.

I coravined & decanted this in a big Bordeaux glass for an hour and it is still a 1/2 monster.

The nose shows; dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries with understated raspberries in the glass edges, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets.

The M+ tannins are round, velvety, dusty and still meaty. Dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, liqueur cherries with understated, hovering raspberries. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, soft, moist cigar box, leather, anise, rounded very dark spices, moist clays, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets, very round, pleasant acidity with balance for days, still pronounced structure/tension, great length and a smartly, polished, ruby two-minute finish that long sets on on deep, dark spice, earthiness & ruby, dark currents.

Right now a Filet steak, not a fatty steak, Ribeye or Ribcap.

Still so youthful! Add a point or two in 7-10 yrs. .

Philip is in his 90’s and still involved in the winemaking. He walks the property daily.
— 2 months ago

Jeroen, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this
Jeroen Koenen

Jeroen Koenen

A personal favorite! The 1997 iteration of this wine converted me, being a classic Bordeauxphile, into American wines some 20 years ago. Thank you for that, Mr. Togni.

Forge Cellars

Classique Seneca Lake Dry Riesling 2023

Very crisp dry riesling enjoyed at neighborhood wine bar dinner — 7 months ago

Hermann J. Wiemer

Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc 2021

We had the pleasure of opening the 2021 Hermann J. Wiemer.

On the nose there was nice strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, herbaceous notes and green bell pepper.

On the palate there was good strawberry, raspberry, red plum, green bell pepper, a bit of oak and crushed gravel.

This is a medium bodied wine with light velvety mouthfeel medium to medium + acidity and medium to medium + fine tannins that leaves with a medium to medium + red fruit gravel dust finish. Well it looks as though spring can't make up her mind. This weekend looks to be a bit on the cooler side so lets get out and enjoy ourselves. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 3 years ago

Milissa, Shay and 19 others liked this

Spring Valley Vineyard

Nina Lee Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2016

Dark ruby/ Inky in color, with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red fruits with light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, light earth and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, plums, light oak, spices, milk chocolates, tobacco, licorice, light herbs and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious 10 years old Syrah from Washington State. Elegant and rich, fruit forward and smooth. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Complex and interesting.

Very typical to the Terroir, which is nice to see. The alcohol is nicely integrated by now.

I had this vintage 5 years ago and it is drinking much better now. Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of 94% Syrah with 6% Viognier. Aged in (20% new) French Oak barrels for 19 months.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60.
— 4 days ago

Sagee, Dave and 5 others liked this

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Estate Bottled Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Very tasty Napa cab from Spring Mountain. Mature enough at 8 years to lay down nicely. Paired well with steak. Drank in June 2026 — 20 days ago

Robert Keenan Winery

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2021

Light golden in color.


Strong nose of citrus, apples, lemons, light earth, pears, light oak and spices.


Medium plus in body with medium acidity.


Dry on the palate with red apples, lemons, limes, light wood, spices, light nuts and sea salt. 


Tangy finish with lemons and light earth notes. 


This 5 year old Chardonnay from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley is still drinking very fresh, which I loved. Rich and smooth, nicely balanced and elegant, with a generous mouthfeel. 


I had this vintage 2 years ago and it is drinking better now. Complex, fruit forward and interesting, with a light buttery mouthfeel. 


Good right out of the bottle, easy drinking, and good by itself as a sipping wine.


100% Chardonnay grapes were handpicked and aged for 7 months, on the lees, in French and American oak barrels.


13.9% alcohol by volume.


92 points.


$40. 
— 2 months ago

Ted, Dawn and 6 others liked this

Hawk and Horse Vineyards

Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Black cherry, raspberry, cassis, blackberry, eucalyptus and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 3 months ago

Paul and Rob liked this

Lake Sonoma Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2025

nose consists of black currant with a light mouthfeel and notes of light dark fruits — 5 months ago

Smith Madrone

Spring Mountain District Riesling 2017

Ming L
9.4

The petrol note is pronounced, yet beautifully integrated. Citrus and tropical tones emerge on the nose, joined by a faint wisp of smoke. The palate has Viognier-like texture, lending weight and shape, while bright, clean-cut acidity is balanced by just a touch of residual sweetness.

It’s puzzling that Napa Valley can produce Riesling of this caliber!
— 6 months ago

Severn and Tom liked this