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 — 10 days ago

Roger Ray

9.2

Superb wine with super Tra da Noi food — a month ago

Jerry Raphael

9.1

Always great wine with a lot of dark fruits and a mile long finish — 2 months ago

Tyler Felous

9.6

This overdelivered for 2021. Maybe helped along by the 375ml format. Deep inky purple with mocha and blue fruits. Delicious — 25 days ago

Doug Powers

9.1

Much more forward and less deep and structured than the outstanding 2016 LBV Dow’s, well made and great fruit, medium-long finish, very fine!! — a month ago

with Jim

Eric Grasser

9.3

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. — 2 months ago

P Plusquellec

9.4

Peaking, Wounderful velvety mouthful, hitting all of the right spots — 2 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.3

Crisp green apple, lemon, flint, and jasmine. Light and fresh with crisp fresh acidity. — a month ago

K L

8.9

Good but very cherry. — 23 days ago

with Matt

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2021 vintage. Medium/medium-heavy body. Smoky, plummy, spicy. Pretty crushable now but a decade+ aged bottle might unlock a secret, or two, of the universe. nicely done. 04.23.25. — 2 months ago