Ericsson

9.3

One of those surprisingly good wines. — a month ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

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

Ashraf Attal

9.2

Yasmine’s family — 5 months ago

Bill Mowry

8.9

Vanilla nose with some acid and minerality. Lemon and citrus flavors paired well with salmon. — 6 months ago

with Cristian, Lou and 1 other

Sam Friedland

9.2

Very pleasant, soft tannins — 7 months ago

Carter White

9.4

Juicy dark beery fruit, healthy spice, balanced. — 8 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

NicoleRGN

9.6

I love Aglianico and this was amazing. Red and black fruit, terroir tobacco and notes of old books. Smooth tannins - enjoy. — 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

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Almond butter. — 5 months ago

Tom Swennes

9.0

2008. Borderline port, but delicious in its own right. — 7 months ago

Nagib Nasr

9.3

Just what the doctor ordered — 8 months ago

Matt

9.4

Love the high Merlot % this vintage has. There’s a plushness and supleness to the tannin that really impressed. With age the Merlot really bringing that core of sweet stewed red plum. Long, elegant, completely intact, very well-stored bottle. — 2 years ago

Tay Nguyen

9.0

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

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. This bottle of the 2005 Gran Reserva came from a Library Release in 2022 so the cork was perfect. The wine pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart, ripe and some dried, mostly red fruits: Bing cherry, raspberries, plum, tobacco, leather, dill and assorted dried garden herbs, gentle baking spices and dry, dusty earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is in a lovely spot and yet, has a long life ahead. Drink now with some patience and enjoy through 2045. — 3 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 — 6 months ago

Monique Blanchard

9.4

Great nose. Smooth throughout — 8 months ago

Carter White

9.3

Juicy dark fruit, complimented by black pepper, rich. — 10 months ago