Review: Wines of Smith-Madrone, 2015 Releases
Three new winter releases from Smith-Madrone, located at the top of Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain.
2012 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay Napa Valley Spring Mountain District – Buttery, with strong notes of vanilla and nuts. Not much in the way of a surprise here, with modest pear and lemon notes duking it out with that big, brown butter back end. Ultimately there’s a bit too much wood on this traditionally styled California Chardonnay for my tastes, but it’s a fair enough sipper in the right context. B / $32
2013 Smith-Madrone Riesling Napa Valley Spring Mountain District – Fresh, moderately sweet Riesling, this bottling offers notes of honey and candied apple, with notes of honeysuckle flowers. The floral notes lend a perfumed, but fresh, character to the finish. A- / $27
2011 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Spring Mountain District – Solid, but uncomplicated, with notes of green olive studding simple cassis and raspberry notes. Modest finish, with more fresh, savory herbs coming to the fore. A solid effort. B+ / $48
2012 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay Napa Valley Spring Mountain District
$32
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