One of the great older houses out of Napa that you may have never heard of, Smith-Madrone has gained a national reputation not only for their typical varietal wines, but for their Riesling wines. Smith-Madrone wines are sourced from the winery's dry-farmed estate vineyards surrounding the winery on top of Spring Mountain in the Napa Valley. Stuart Smith chose specific slopes with different exposures for specific varietals when planting the vineyards: eastern exposure for Riesling, southern and western exposures across flat stretches for the Cabernet Sauvignon and the coolest north-facing slopes for the Chardonnay. The soil is mostly deep-red Aiken Stony Clay loam, and is primarily volcanic-based, well-drained and deep for mountain soils. The estate is a 200 acre ranch, partly planted as vineyard over a century ago. California black bears and other wildlife once thrived here as did 120-year-old Picholine olive trees which frame a path and view down to the floor of the Napa Valley.
I recently had the chance to review the wines from this historic estate in Napa and was hugely impressed with the quality of wines from the warm vintages of 2015 and 2016. Their 2015 Smith-Madrone Cabernet (WWB, 92) is marvelous with its balance and poise, with deep darker fruit flavors. The 2016 Smith-Madrone Riesling (WWB, 91) is amongst the best Rieslings made in this region. Fantastic now, the wine will cellar well at least for another five years. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.smithmadrone.com Here are the great new releases from Smith-Madrone
2016 Smith-Madrone Riesling- A whiff of petrol and white flowers immediately takes you to the old world rather than Napa. Beautifully textured and lithe, showing good poise, the wine delivers ripe green apple, wet stone and shades of kumquat zest that mingle together on the palate. This is truly one the best I have had from Napa. Drink 2019-2025- 91
2016 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay- Aromas of buttered popcorn and roasted hazelnuts offer intrigue on the nose. The freshness and power of the wine is fantastic as ripe vanilla cream and butterscotch flavors mingle with nutty and earthy undertones. The texture really impresses here as this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next decade, picking up tertiary characters as it ages. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2015 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2015 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon is another exciting release from this storied Napa estate. The dusty terroir is really impressive, as it collides with bight red fruits and shades of cassis on the nose. Showing really good restraint and balance, the wine leads with ripe red cherry, tobacco leaf, leather and dusty terroir on the palate. With wonderful verve and freshness, this expressive effort will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 92