Jennifer Pletcher

8.9

Warm, juicy. Lots of fruit. A hint of overripe fruit. A touch of coconut. — 2 months ago

Tay Nguyen

9.0

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

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on July 26, 2025 at l’Ete du Vin with Ned and Beth]

Lemon, apple, mango and mandarin orange, with ginger and almonds. — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of ripe red fruit, rose petals, dried red flowers and eucalyptus. Red and black cherry/raspberry and boysenberry fruit on the palate along with additional notes of chocolate, toffee, savory spices and mint. Well integrated oak on the long and slightly chewy finish. Rustic, well balanced and beautifully aged. Thanks for sharing this one, Ron B! — 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

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.3

Very peculiar spectrum of aromas. Freshly cutted pineapple and pear. White peach and grapefruit. Very nice and long finish.
A bit flex on the mid palate but lingering pleasant finish — 7 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

Donald Williams

9.5

Nice complement for both the chicken Marsala and the ribeye. — 3 months ago

with Bonnie

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Sonoma

Nose:

Palate: very clean. Mountain stream. Mineral. — 4 months ago

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

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on May 25, 2025 at The Optimist in Nashville with Jay]

Wine is from Pisoni Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands. Cherry, blackberry and red plum fruit, with baking spices, caramel and violets. — 5 months ago

K ITO

9.1

mocha choko berry rich
nice sweet bitter sour balance
— 6 months ago

Ronald LaMascus

9.0

Probably not technically as good as it tastes. This is a big, rich, flavorful wine with lots of dark fruit and high in alcohol at 15% which is most noticeable upon opening so let it breathe. I like to just sip it but also enhances food especially roasted red meats and strong cheeses with crusty bread. Wine snobs will undoubtedly be critical but so what! It’s just a good solid inexpensive wine that tastes good. Enjoy! — 9 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

This and the rose are my favorites from Michael David. Huge wine. Explosion of fruit on the nose. Not a lot of oak/wood which is great. Smooth and drinkable. This is a great bbq wine that at or just bellow cellar temp is even better. I’d buy again — 2 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, lemon, honey, peach, oak and hints of almond. Great acidity and balance. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1996 vintage. Last tasted 5.8.25 (9.5), 9.29.24 (9.5) and 8.2.24 (9.6). Decanted with some sed and tasted after an hour. Solid cork and fill. This was the worst showing of the last visits with less tannic structure and slightly more richness. Tasted a bit more like their "Au Paradis" offering. Not totally dissuaded from picking up another few bottles for enjoyment in the few 5 years or so tho. Three out of four bottles surveyed were fabulous and this wasn't a total swing and a miss. 07.18.25. — 4 months ago

Raul Puga

9.6

Wow. Amazing wine. — 4 months ago

Ashraf Attal

9.2

Yasmine’s family — 5 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

This was showing great! Aging well and gaining complexity. It’s a wine of texture for sure. Could use a bit more acid but this is a great American Chardonnay. — 6 months ago

Carter White

9.4

Juicy dark beery fruit, healthy spice, balanced. — 9 months ago