Donald Williams

9.3

Bit by bit, the case is dwindling. Every bottle has been really excellent. — 6 months ago

with Bonnie

Taylor Brody

10

Fantastic wine. Had it in Jackson with the daughter. 10/10 — 7 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. — 8 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. — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

A Burgundian-styled Cab Sauv from the one of the most compelling Sub AVA of Napa mountains (Mayacamas) which has an amazing soil and solid influence from the Pacific. Crafted with an amazing balance of 68% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot, 5% and the rest to round it off its structure and age ability. The 2011 is still climbing to its peak. Enticing notes of dry red fruits on the nose and mouth, delicate, outstandingly silky and nearly perfect balance!
The finish shows its beauty. (if you find it, it won’t disappoint you) it will give the run for the money. — 10 months ago

John Van Trijp

9.5

World greatest Chardonnay blind tasting — 6 years ago

Andrew Keenan

9.4

2012 Vintage — 8 years ago

Ntochi

9.5

My perfect wine. Loved it. Smooth, medium weight. — 8 years ago

Paula Strebig

8.9

Med body, Berry aromas, dry, berry flavored, like minerality that morphs into a light acid, moderate tannins w/ nice peppery finish. (Corn chowder, BBQ ribs, wilted green - on the front porch 😊) — 10 years ago

Michael Smith

10

Woohoo!!! Super velvet...best cab I've had in a long time for $30. Smooth throughout would highly recommend. — 12 years 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 — 6 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. — 8 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 . — 9 months ago

Henry Boshoff

9.3

Nice and spicy... — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of 77% Cab Sauv, 13% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah & 1% Cab Franc, deep Ruby with aromas of rich ripe berry fruits, cedar and earthy herb spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum, with cacao, tobacco and oaky notes. Nice balance, soft chewy tannins, long finish ending with creamy vanilla spice and cedar character. Nice value! — 5 years ago

E Siodmak

9.0

Really good, paid $8. Bought a couple bottles January 2019, need to get more. — 7 years ago

with Miranda

Michael Kvasnicka

9.3

Tasted it blind. I was way off. — 10 years ago

Virgilio Ryan

Region Manager East, CRU Selections Terlato Wines International

9.0

Virgilio had this 10 years ago

Anne Clemons

9.0

Awesomely balanced SB. Medium body with good minerals and soft citrus. — 11 years ago

Patrick Dolan

9.7

Aroma of rich berries. Smooth and slightly sweet with a sour note. Very good. — 12 years 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. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2022 vintage. Good, not great. The 2021 with more intensity/grip and life. 06.11.25. — 6 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. — 9 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.

— 9 months ago

Megan

9.2

Majestic - really nice, a little different. Quite strong — a year ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

Brilliant silver-straw. Lime zest, honeysuckle, succulent herbs and chalky minerals on the incisive nose. Dry, tightly focused and lithe on the palate, offering intense citrus and orchard fruit flavors that reveal a hint of waxiness and a refreshingly bitter quinine note. Shows a delicate touch and finishes clean, nervy and quite long, with resonating mineral character and a hint of lemon thyme. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, July 2021)
— 4 years ago

Henrik Poulsen

9.0

12.5% ABV.
50/50 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Disgorged 12/2017.

Purchased in South Africa and brought back stateside.
This simply mentioned as I’ve seen various labeling info/ABV’s on bottles available in US. — 7 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.3

Nice wine. It came to the party wearing a backpack, glasses and a hat with a mosquito net. — 8 years ago

with Jade and Paul

Mike Kerr

9.1

Delicious and hedonistic. Rich textures and dark fruit. Some leathery like aromas with hints of herbs — 11 years ago

Petra Thieriot

Owner/Importer Dee Vine Wines

10

Ernie, the genie, prepared the entire 5+ course meal for 18 guests and convinced all of us that South African Pinot can taste like premium Burgundy! — 12 years ago

with Andrew, Dade and 2 others