2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District Napa Valley 750 ml

From Master Sommelier Vincent Morrow: 

I run the wine program at PRESS restaurant in Napa. PRESS is home to perhaps the world’s broadest and deepest collection of Napa wines, so it takes a lot to get me excited about a Napa Cabernet. Not only does it have to be excellent, but it has to be special, offering something that 400 other wineries do not. 

When a guest wants a glimpse into a previous generation of Napa Valley—when they are interested in knowing a style that is still possible but hardly common—Smith-Madrone is on a very short list of producers that I recommend.

Smith-Madrone is one of the benchmark Spring Mountain producers, perfectly balancing the structure of mountain fruit with the rugged, cool herbal tones of Cabernet from a cooler pocket of the Valley. While much of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon succumbs to stylistic and aesthetic pressures, the willingness of the Smith brothers to continually produce wines of honesty and purity is inspirational.

And I should mention: Smith-Madrone with age is one of Napa’s great insider secrets.

I have the privilege of regularly tasting and pouring these wines with age on them: Right now, PRESS has the 2004, ‘05, and ‘06 on our list—and all of them are absolute stars. With time, these open up and blossom into dynamic bottles that are beautifully aromatic and elegantly textured. But as the 4.5-star member-rating for the previous vintage attests, Wine Access members love these in their youth, as well. Just be sure to throw it in a decanter and enjoy!