David White

9.2

Deep ruby colour with lighter crimson rim, nose of red/black fruits with savoury notes.
Smooth and silky tannins and really well integrated at 9 years.
Beautiful on palate with good aftertaste and a lingering finish. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2019 vintage. Tasted 30 minutes after being opened. Not decanted. Not nearly as gratuitous as the vast majority of 2019’s. Overall, lean but with a pleasant substrate/foundation of dark plum and cassis. A bit tight and would definitely benefit from a 2+hour decanter spa/lounge sesh. 07.15.25 — 4 months ago

Donald Williams

9.3

Bit by bit, the case is dwindling. Every bottle has been really excellent. — 4 months ago

with Bonnie

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2022 vintage. Good, not great. The 2021 with more intensity/grip and life. 06.11.25. — 5 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Another solid vintage of this South African Bordeaux-Style red. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (49%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Aromas of black fruit, vanilla and dried rose petals. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, mulberry, black cherry, dried herbs and minerals. Lengthy finish and full bodied. Soft tannins and well structured. Nicely aged and quite elegant. — 7 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Waaaayyy too young… — 7 months ago

David White

9.3

Really enjoying the aging FMC at 6yrs still improving and getting better
Golden liquid with honey mead and infused citrus flavours with a long satisfying aftertaste, yum
13% Abv.
Have a number tucked away and looking forward to trying again in a couple of years.

— 8 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2018 | An amazing lot of grapes together: Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Verdelho, Rousanne, Semillon Gris, Semillon Blanc and Palomino. And then it tastes like… 🧐 white Burgundy. Awesome! Paired with tunafish. At Vista Willemstad. — 3 months ago

David Shaw

8.9

67/33 blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Good acid, bone dry, mineral finish — 4 months ago

Jason Phillips

8.9

Spicy with lots of pepper with a hint of smoke. — 4 months ago

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 — 5 months ago

Julius Rifkin

9.3

I don’t know of any other producers who make a single-varietal wine from this obscure grape, but this wine is still fairly easy to find, an observation that is not difficult to understand. This wine is just plain delicious. Year after year it is in my top two or three white wines. Very aromatic, it boasts an abundance of fruity and floral aromas. On the palate, flavors of lychee and dried apricot reveal a subtle sweetness that is hard to resist. 100% Bukettraube. 4/13/25. — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Deep garnet with terracotta . Quite rich concentrated nose , slightly roasted spicy , oaky nose, cassis , dark plum , quite rich and dense. Slightly sweet on the palate , but with red plum , spiced orange rind , cassis , cacao . A bit alcoholic on the palate too. Quite rounded , but gritty tannins and just balanced acidity . Slightly Foursquare on the finish , with spiced cherry , cacao . Drink now and over the next 5 years or so . — 8 months ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.0

a no-brainer for 9€, delicious! — 3 months ago

Lyn Farmer

9.4

A blend of the five Bordeaux varietals, this is an exceptional wine. There’s a great balance of acidity, velvet tannins and black fruit. Cassis, black cherry, black plum, a light toast and vanilla oak component and developing tertiary character of leather, forest floor and cigar box. Terrifically harmonious the wine is full bodied with a sense of being heavy. A joy to consume. — 4 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.3

2007. Big, rich, dark fruits and oak! Great on its own, but I liked the Red Cap a little better. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2022 vintage. Last year's vintage more than justified the pricing. This one, not so much. 06.11.25. — 5 months ago

Taylor Brody

10

Fantastic wine. Had it in Jackson with the daughter. 10/10 — 5 months ago

Leslie Matheson

9.6

Brick in colour, fruit was still strong and it has been awhile but this wine gave me a very strong sense of place. Maybe it was nostalgia but I would have known it was Walla Walla blind folded. — 7 months ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Light color. Rusty red. Smells like rosehip tea and hibiscus. Flavors a pretty complex and intriguing. Has a bit of a citrus (blood orange) side. Fine and full finish. This is a complex and nice balanced rule of red. — 8 months ago