Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, lemon, honey, peach, oak and hints of almond. Great acidity and balance. — 5 days ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Sonoma

Nose:

Palate: very clean. Mountain stream. Mineral. — a month 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. — a month ago

Grayson Stack

8.9

Great taste, very solid. Would buy again

@kingstide restaurant — 8 days ago

Donald Williams

9.5

Nice complement for both the chicken Marsala and the ribeye. — 4 days ago

with Bonnie

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! — a month ago

Raul Puga

9.6

Wow. Amazing wine. — 2 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. — 23 days ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

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

— 15 days 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 — 2 months ago