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
1979 vintage. Tasted after being open for 30 minutes. Not decanted. Medium body still. Smoke and caramel flavors at the forefront with expected baselines/basslines of dark plum and dark cherry. Baking chocolate mostly hiding in the wings but not demonstrative currently. Unified and drinking beautifully now. Smooth. complex finish. Has at least another 4-5 years at this level. Picked up a case for the resto for a song. 07.15.25. — 3 months ago
Really explosive black flavors of cassis, berry and graphite. Maybe a tad fruit forward and less tannin than I expected and desire. Complimented with mountain rocks, leather and pine needle. But showing great at 9 years. — 6 months ago
Really special bottle nearly sabotaged by the waiter’s feeble attempts at coping with the cork. Stellar and refined, still not really at its peak after three hrs but sublime. Would love to drink a bottle over a couple of days. Winemaker evidently says that the bottles take a minimum of 30 yrs to come to maturity. First bottling was 1982! — 7 months ago
Tried at James Suckling — 4 months ago
Grippy tight and tannic at opening but softened into juicy plum and cranberry with graphite and soft tannins. Lovely. Drink now if you have any of the 96 left. — 6 months ago
[Tasted on January 10, 2025 at Tom’s House with Tom]
Jerusalem Hill vineyard is in Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Raspberry and red currant fruit, with earth, minerality and spice. — 3 years ago
Paul T HB
Haven’t had this in at least 15 years, why 🤷🏼♂️. But they were clearing out several vintages at $30.00, I should have bought a full case. Opened last night to try a glass, decanting the rest today.
Waiting for my 05’s to arrive — 14 days ago