Doug Powers

9.3

Great Beaucastel, dark fruits, still a little structured, long finish, excellent!! — 2 months ago

with Jim

Charlie Tapp

9.7

Exceptionally vibrant 18 years later.

My favorite zinfandel on the planet. — 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

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

romo

9.1

Several flavors in balance with lots of place. Not too weird. — 7 months ago

Michele La

9.6

Will definitely buy this bottle again. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark inky in color with a reddish rim.

Very pretty nose with black fruits, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, Indian spices, cola and light black tea.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, chocolates, toast, light vanilla, dark coffee, Indian spices, light cola licorice and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious 9 year old Merlot from Columbia Valley. Rich and extracted. Spicy and entertaining.

Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 3 hours of airtime.

Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Smooth and elegant. Fruit forward and tangy. The high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in (85% new) French Oak barrels.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$75. — 10 months ago

Mike Davila

9.2

Better than I hoped for, would have been fun to taste blind. Drinking great, but ready to drink. — 9 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.5

Favorite Howell Mtn cab — 10 years ago

Neil Shah

9.3

One of my faves. I ordered two half bottles - imagine my delight when I received two full bottles at the half bottle price. — 12 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.7

Really great. Needs about 3 hours of air. So well balanced. A lot of cocoa, blackberry, garden dirt, some tree bark, some chocolate cherries, but very dark, some menthol in the background, long finish, almost coffee and cocoa, some fruits as well. Outstanding! — 3 months ago

Joe Flo

9.4

Great Howell Mountain wine. — 3 months ago

Ericsson

9.7

1st Growth Bordeaux comparison. A young poet full of art and glory. Deep ruby colour, with scents of raspberry and red currant with graphite and even leather. Imposing on the palate yet balanced and elegant. Full bodied, high alcohol, fine grain tannings, medium acidity, with a long finish and notes of ripe red fruit. Wine with great aging potential. — 3 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

Martijn

9.4

Long life ahead. Fruit and toasted wood battling. — 5 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Waaaayyy too young… — 7 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. — 8 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.3

Agree with those who describe the finesse in this reserve. Long open but worth the wait every time. apparently higher in sangiovese than other vintages and it works just fine. Really nice Antinori offering! — 5 years ago

with Logan

Evan Brody

9.4

Really nice wine. Can't wait to see how it changes over next few hours. — 9 years ago

Adam Jesberger

9.6

Happy birthday to Jenelle with love. Amazing wine, perfect pairing with a tender filet, a mushroom demi, horseradish potatoes and green beans. Pyrazine influenced, dark chocolate ripe cherries, Serrano chiles, pepper and ink. Light turned earth with amazing brown sugary oak. Long finish. Blissful wine! — 11 years ago

with Jenelle

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.4

So full bodied and rich, we paired it with crisped caramel chocolate blocks - yum! — 3 months ago

David Walser

9.5

Been holding this for awhile and really enjoyed this at 12 years old. — 3 months ago

Doug Powers

9.6

Sweet dried redfruits and oak aromas, soft tannins, sweet fruit on palate as well, very fine acidity and depth, seems close to fully mature, but should last 3-5 years at least, kudos to Patrick Campbell, who made a lot of outstanding LG Cabernets back in the 1980s and 1990s, excellent Sonoma Mountain Cabernet!! — 4 months ago

with Jim

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

Sarah Blaker

10

Juicy and delicious — 6 months ago

Jon Hoke

9.5

WOW really good — 7 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

1/2025. A nice Washington Cab. Good flavor and nice on the palate. — 9 months ago

Michael Seely

9.0

Quite drinkable — 7 years ago

with Joe

Michael Seely

9.5

Outstanding — 8 years ago

with Joe

Mike Kovacs

9.2

2012 vintage — 10 years ago