Spring Ridge
Smith Madrone
Estate Bottled Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
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 — a month ago
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1979
1979 vintage. Tasted after being open for 30 minutes. Not decanted. Medium body still. Smoke and caramel flavors at the forefront with expected baselines/basslines of dark plum and dark cherry. Baking chocolate mostly hiding in the wings but not demonstrative currently. Unified and drinking beautifully now. Smooth. complex finish. Has at least another 4-5 years at this level. Picked up a case for the resto for a song. 07.15.25. — 7 days ago
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018
Medium bodied with dark violet color I double decanted the wine and it surprisingly still seemed young after seven years. More Cab Franc (18%) in this vintage blend than some of the others it was smooth and subtle with cocoa, fig, and blueberry. Paired well with BBQ St. louis ribs. — a month ago
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Estate Bottled Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
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 — 7 days ago
Jay Kline
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 Pagani Ranch pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: mixed bramble fruit, black cherry, black pepper, red flowers, tobacco, warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Yum. — 16 days ago