• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources
Menu

Owen Bargreen

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources

Great photo of harvest at Smith-Madrone.

Smith-Madrone

January 17, 2025

Today we share the outstanding wines of Smith-Madrone. One Napa house known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Riesling wines, Smith-Madrone sources from their 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 Stoney 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. 

They have a beautiful new Cabernet, the 2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet (OB, 93) is earthy and herbal with beautiful poise. This will age gracefully for at least another fifteen years. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://www.smithmadrone.com Here are the great new releases from Smith-Madrone.

2019 Smith-Madrone Riesling- Coming from their estate vineyard, the 2019 Smith-Madrone Riesling checks in at 13.3% alcohol. Brilliant petrol fumes hit the nose alongside wet grass and straw alongside bright peach on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured and deep, with good richness and loads of mouth-watering acidity. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next eight plus years to come. What a beautiful foil for Thai food! Drink 2025-2032- 93

2021 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay- The 2021 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay was sourced from their estate on Spring Mountain set on Aiken Stoney Clay loam. Aged for 10 months in 50% new French oak, this offers butterscotch and pie crust on the nose alongside shades of Japanese pear. The palate is rich and viscous with serious nerve. Lemon curd, shortbread and shades of papaya all meld together on the palate. This is a stunning edition of this wine that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2032- 94

2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant, well-structured new wine that is built to age. Once on the nose this takes on anise and milk chocolate tones with wet stone, fresh thyme and shades of black currant cordial that all meld in the glass. The palate is refined and poised with a great core of black fruit flavors. Generous and delicious now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 93

← Stag's Leap Wine CellarsDr. Loosen →
 

Latest Posts

Featured
Jun 19, 2025
San Juan Vineyard
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
Long Shadows 'Saggi' Red Wine
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
ROCO
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
Sea Smoke
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 18, 2025
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Jun 18, 2025
Jun 18, 2025
Jun 18, 2025
L'Ecole No. 41
Jun 18, 2025
Jun 18, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
Bodega Lanzaga
Jun 17, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
Chateau L'Escarelle
Jun 17, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
Acumen
Jun 17, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
Jun 16, 2025
Big Table Farm
Jun 16, 2025
Jun 16, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Phelps Creek
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Aridus
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Walla Walla Vintners
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Prospice
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 11, 2025
REVIEW: Qatar Airways Al-Safwa Lounge, A Stunning, World-Class Lounge
Jun 11, 2025
Jun 11, 2025
Jun 10, 2025
Antinori 'Tignanello' Red Wine
Jun 10, 2025
Jun 10, 2025
Jun 10, 2025
Rhys Vineyards
Jun 10, 2025
Jun 10, 2025
Jun 9, 2025
REVIEW: Qatar Airways First Class Dubai To Doha
Jun 9, 2025
Jun 9, 2025
Jun 9, 2025
Iterum
Jun 9, 2025
Jun 9, 2025
Jun 9, 2025
Elk Cove
Jun 9, 2025
Jun 9, 2025