See previous notes for more detail - but this Chardonnay is just beautiful. Not a typical Napa can that is oak and butter. This is crisp, mouth watering, and delicious. Golden color, maybe some lemon on the nose, bright acidity, with a lot of room to age over the next 5-10 years at least. Lovely wine.
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Consistent with previous note a year ago. Still very tart and austere - it almost brings the green fruit angularity of the SM Riesling - but definitely delivering a lot of texture and depth. Feels like this has only upside potential as it rounds out and evens out, so probably best 2024-2030. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
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Deep gold robe. Apple blossom, acacia, white florals, ripe golden apple, sunlight. Light body, lovely acids, hint of vanilla, crisp golden apple notes.
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Retail $45. I have long been a fan of the wines from Smith-Madrone, a tiny (as least as far as Napa goes) outpost on Spring Mountain. Its Riesling might be one of the best wines produced in Napa, the Cabernet Sauvignon is easily one of the best values in the Valley, and the Chardonnay, perhaps the red-headed stepchild in the Smith-Madrone lineup, is a wine that I would assert belongs in the list of best Napa Valley Chardonnays. Gorgeous fruit on the nose with tropical fruit, white flower, and almond paste predominate. The palate is quite tart, with fruit at the forefront, hints of oak, and a subtle creaminess that defines Smith-Madrone. This is not the biggest, most bombastic Chard from Napa, but I doubt there is another that I would rather have on my dining room table.
This vintage seems on the lighter side compared to previous vintages. Still, a sharp palate of tropical fruit basket, kiwi-lime, and oranges, but the palate seemed more dry and mineral-driven, with overall less body and weight. Could still be early. Drink 2022-2028. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
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Return to Napa; 3/6/2022-3/13/2022 (Wineries and various restaurants): Not a chardonnay person so take this with a grain of salt. Lime, citrus, a bit tangy and almost a touch sour. And maybe a touch of salinity. It's a fresher style of chardonnay which I think does see some oak. Less offensive to me than some but still not as interesting as the Riesling.
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2/23/2024 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Right in prime form.
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1/30/2024 - Nojomoschwa Likes this wine: 92 Points
One of the most solid CA Chardonnays that almost no one knows about. Killer for $39/bottle.
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12/5/2023 - cdebeau Likes this wine: 92 Points
Crisp lemon notes with hint of cream
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10/18/2023 - Yassine23 wrote:
Very ripe and oaky nose, more freshness displayed in the mouth. Very Californian
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7/12/2023 - jonmartin1520 Likes this wine: 93 Points
See previous notes for more detail - but this Chardonnay is just beautiful. Not a typical Napa can that is oak and butter. This is crisp, mouth watering, and delicious. Golden color, maybe some lemon on the nose, bright acidity, with a lot of room to age over the next 5-10 years at least. Lovely wine.
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5/31/2023 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with previous note a year ago. Still very tart and austere - it almost brings the green fruit angularity of the SM Riesling - but definitely delivering a lot of texture and depth. Feels like this has only upside potential as it rounds out and evens out, so probably best 2024-2030. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
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3/25/2023 - Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark golden in color.
Nice nose of yellow apples, pears, light honey, spices, cedar, citrus, light vanilla and pineapples.
Full bodied and creamy with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with lemons, citrus, apples, limes, earth, minerals, white pepper and sea salt.
Tangy finish with limes.
This 5-year-old Chardonnay from Napa Valley is drinking very nicely now. Easy drinking and enjoyable. Showing nice complexity at this point.
Nicely balanced and well structured. A good quality wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 3 to 5 years.
Needs 20 minutes of airtime to come to its own.
Good by itself as a sipping wine. Tangy and interesting.
100% Chardonnay grapes from Spring Mountain District were aged in (55% new) French Oak barrels for 9 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$45.
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1/21/2023 - LMArcher wrote:
Deep gold robe.
Apple blossom, acacia, white florals, ripe golden apple, sunlight.
Light body, lovely acids, hint of vanilla, crisp golden apple notes.
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11/25/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 Points
Retail $45. I have long been a fan of the wines from Smith-Madrone, a tiny (as least as far as Napa goes) outpost on Spring Mountain. Its Riesling might be one of the best wines produced in Napa, the Cabernet Sauvignon is easily one of the best values in the Valley, and the Chardonnay, perhaps the red-headed stepchild in the Smith-Madrone lineup, is a wine that I would assert belongs in the list of best Napa Valley Chardonnays. Gorgeous fruit on the nose with tropical fruit, white flower, and almond paste predominate. The palate is quite tart, with fruit at the forefront, hints of oak, and a subtle creaminess that defines Smith-Madrone. This is not the biggest, most bombastic Chard from Napa, but I doubt there is another that I would rather have on my dining room table.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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5/15/2022 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
This vintage seems on the lighter side compared to previous vintages. Still, a sharp palate of tropical fruit basket, kiwi-lime, and oranges, but the palate seemed more dry and mineral-driven, with overall less body and weight. Could still be early. Drink 2022-2028. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
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3/8/2022 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Return to Napa; 3/6/2022-3/13/2022 (Wineries and various restaurants): Not a chardonnay person so take this with a grain of salt. Lime, citrus, a bit tangy and almost a touch sour. And maybe a touch of salinity. It's a fresher style of chardonnay which I think does see some oak. Less offensive to me than some but still not as interesting as the Riesling.
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1/26/2020 - EMichels wrote: 89 Points
Big bright clean fruit
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