DCH

9.4

Really impressed.
St. Innocent’s consistency of style lets terroir shine through their single vineyard series. Like a controlled experiment. 2021 Temperance Hill shows incredible levels of complexity and spice, while maintaining a great degree of balance and approachability. Put simply, it tastes great.

I haven’t had a chance to taste 2021 Momtazi, but this wine has similar levels of depth to prior vintages if memory serves, while being more easily appealing. I’ve tired 2021 Shea, but not side-by-side with this. While the Shea is an excellent wine, for my taste this is more expressive and interesting. — 2 months ago

Paul T HB

9.7

California’s version of White Burgundy. Great older bottle from recent auction. — 2 months ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.3

Aging has its benefits as this is 6 years old and smooth. Good fragrance and cherry. August 2025. — 3 months ago

Ana Bumgardner

9.3

2018 vintage with homemade pizza on 7/11/25. Really really good wine!! — 4 months ago

Richard Baum

9.5

Tried at James Suckling — 5 months ago

TwiLea Fletcher

9.1

05.28.25
Scandalous! — 5 months ago

Mark S.

9.1

Lemon yellow with green. Herbaceous. Slight honey. Minerals. Pear and citrus. Petro. Rich. Slight acidic now. Dry. stimulation with elegancy. Polish Hill Riesling Grosset 23 @8866, Toscan, 250405-250608 — 7 months ago

Paul T HB

9.5

Needs a little air, great recommendation from @Somm David T
First mag of two — 2 months ago

Tay Nguyen

9.0

Really good cab, was on sale for $26 at Vons. — 2 months ago

Martin Mazner

8.9

Lovely wine but could pass for a hearty sauv blanc — 3 months ago

with Naveen

Dave

8.9

Haters gon' hate. This is one of my go-to grocery store picks. It's super cheap ($12), and it tastes like Merlot.
Smashing some burgers and listening to the Cranberries. — 4 months ago

Ashraf Attal

9.2

Yasmine’s family — 5 months ago

Patrick Loomis

9.4

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. — 7 months ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.8

Fantastic cult wine that I’ve had the pleasure of trying a couple of times now. Lives up to the hype. Amazing in all aspects. Big but super pretty and just keeps rewarding you with greatness every time you return to you glass. — 8 months ago

Mark Osmers

9.2

Wine Spectator rated the ‘21 with an impressive 93 points and this Merlot was featured as #25 on the Top 100 wines of 2024.

flavor notes include blackberry, dark, cherry cedar, and that earthy Napa finish

I recommend this read to anyone who can find the 2021 vintage. Perhaps other years too. — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Pop and pour. A splendid light straw color. On the nose: subtle notes of lemon, grass, Asian pear, brioche. Taste: lean, chalky wine with lemon, grapefruit, minerals, and a sour lime finish. Works with all the fresh fish tonight. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.4

The Winemaker Dinner: Francoise Peschon

5 WINES FROM HER NAPA PORTFOLIO:
2023 Accendo Laurea Sav Blanc
2021 Baker & Hamilton cab
2019 Cornell cab
2019 Heimark cab
2019 Vine Hill cab

FOOD:
Blufin tuna Tostada
Pepper crusted Elk tartare
Venison smash
Braised wild Boar leg
Bison NY strip steak
Mocha passionfruit opera cake — 3 months ago

with Brenda

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

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2021 vintage. Bit o’ milk/dark chocolate in the flavors with the usual dark plum. Actually pretty approachable and satisfying for the $. 05.14.25. — 6 months ago

John Malcolm

9.2

Lovely wine. Bright red cherries, and a bit of chocolate and spice. Fine tannins. Paired beautifully with salmon. — 7 months ago