Nathan Renfro

9.5

Drinking very well now. Really enjoyed it. — 3 months ago

Tom Kohli

9.2

With Scott & Amy at Washington Inn — 4 months ago

Charlie Tapp

9.7

Exceptionally vibrant 18 years later.

My favorite zinfandel on the planet. — 5 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 — 6 months ago

Sarah Blaker

10

Juicy and delicious — 7 months ago

Mark Aronica

9.0

Bright and citrusy. Would drink again. — 6 years ago

Michael Seely

9.0

Quite drinkable — 7 years ago

with Joe

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

Pierre Gustafsson

8.9

Very nice! Slight vanilla flavor — 12 years ago

Dave

8.9

Wanted something to go with carnitas tonight. Not sure if this will pair well, but it is very tasty. I stole a premature sip while the meat cooks. Lots and lots of berries, tart, blue and red. I smell Syrah. Bright acidity, medium tannins. Terroir, stone. It feels a little Old World.
Listening to The B52s — 3 months 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! — 4 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!! — 6 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. — 6 months ago

Jon Hoke

9.5

WOW really good — 9 months ago

Kirt Boxell

9.5

I love the balance and intensity of this Chardonnay — 6 years ago

Michael Ochsner

9.2

Warm can, got it all. Boom. $20 btg wg — 8 years ago

Joseph Gauta

9.0

Rich, bold nose with black cherries all the way through. Love it — 10 years ago

Mike Kovacs

9.2

2012 vintage — 10 years ago

Nycole Kelly

9.9

One of my favorites! Had at Flemmings the first time. — 12 years ago

John Malcolm

9.9

A stunning wine! Cedar, black currants, fig, dark chocolate, and truffles. Deep purple with a fabulous finish. — 4 months ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.4

So full bodied and rich, we paired it with crisped caramel chocolate blocks - yum! — 4 months ago

David Walser

9.5

Been holding this for awhile and really enjoyed this at 12 years old. — 5 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. — 6 months ago

Anthony Ludwig

9.7

On Celebrity cruise and at TW — 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. — 10 months ago

Evan Griffith

9.1

A bit more on the cherry cola rather than just cherry end of the spectrum than I prefer, but nonetheless nice — 6 years ago

Maggie Harrison

8.9

totally surprised me. 10 yrs old and still packing gobs of fruit. Color was bright purple, hardly faded at edges. — 9 years ago

Jordan Gianelli

9.6

1998 in 2016! Drinking like an absolute dream. Soft but lively and all kinds of delicious. — 10 years ago

Michael Retter

9.7

Great fruit. Soft tannins. Really well balanced. Great bottle of wine. — 12 years ago