#spring mountain

One sniff and the floral aromatics on this on are off the charts. Another and the chalky, mineralific, raspy match-head blows you away. Swirl again and the melding of these two is magical as it caresses thick buttery fruit. Is this how you spell perfect Chardonnay? I suppose that argument could be made. Significant golden straw showing here at 6, the chartreuse aspects a faint glow in the body. A…

Essential Japanese Seasonal Phenomena - All Spring

Essential Japanese Seasonal Phenomena - All Spring

Japanese Name: Haru no Yama (春の山)

Experience The Authentic Side of Napa With Smith-Madrone Wines

Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery is a family-run operation. The story of Smith-Madrone started in 1971 when Stu Smith brought a breathtaking property on the remotest and highest part of Spring Mountain.  Shortly thereafter, in 1973 Charlie Smith joined his brother Stu. Stu and Charlie were the early modern-day pioneers of Spring Mountain. Brothers Stu and Charlie, along with Stu’s son Sam, pour…

Well, this is pretty gorgeous, NGL. But I will say again–as more and more of these show up on the shelf heavily discounted all over–be cautious about buying gobs anything pre-2000, especially not-straight cab. They’re good, sure, but need to be drank and enjoyed, as most are feeling tired. With that said, I have not ran into the 97’s rumored to be out there, and that could be an outlier. Here we…

Zooming with Smith-Madrone Winery and Vineyards

Zoom Tasting with Stu Smith

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to enjoy a Zoom tasting with wine writer colleagues from all over the country and Stu Smith, founder of Smith-Madrone Vineyards and Winery.  To say that I was excited about the invitation would be understating it a little. I have met Stu many times during wine events and each time I walk away with just a little more…