Smith Madrone Riesling 2019
(Napa Valley, Spring Mountain, California) - [DM 94] [WE 94] [JS 93] [OB 93]

About the Winery:
Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery is situated above Napa Valley on the eastern side of the Mayacamas Mountains in the Spring Mountain District. Stuart Smith and his brother Charles are the proprietors of Smith-Madrone; Stuart founded Smith-Madrone and a year later Charles joined as winemaker. Together, they built the winery using rock and lumber from the property. That was more than 50 years ago. Today they are doing the same thing they have been doing for fifty-plus years — making wine they enjoy drinking.

All wines made entirely from the winery's 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. There are numerous historical sights on the ranch, as well as the huge array of natural beauty and wildlife.

Tasting Note: 
Aromatically, the wine opens with Meyer lemons, pomelo, orange flowers, and just a dab of mandarin orange hiding shyly behind a rose bush. This is all backed up with a solid dose of minerality. On the palate the wine is racy and beautifully balanced with a backbone of juicy fruit acidity. Wonderfully stylish and delicious and built to last. Drink now, or twenty years from now. Seriously. This wine is made from mountain grown grapes, honoring the international tradition of Riesling which thrives on steep hillsides. At Smith-Madrone our goal is to make artisanal wines which are distinctive and are an expression of both the vintage and us as vintners, but above all else, are wines which bring pleasure to the senses. Every year our wine is made from the same vineyards, pruned by the same people in the same way, cultivated in exactly the same manner and harvested at similar levels of maturity, yet Mother Nature stamps each vintage with a unique set of flavors, senses and character. Vintage dating is a celebration of that uniqueness and diversity.

Technical Notes:

Appellation: Napa Valley

Sub-appellation: Spring Mountain District

Varietal content: 100% Riesling

Alcohol: 13.3%

pH: 2.98

TA: 0.914

Harvested: September 14 and 15, 2019

Cases produced: 1,087

Winemakers and winegrowers: Charles Smith & Stuart Smith

Ratings & Reviews:

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A stellar Riesling from one of the top producers in Napa for this now rare variety. From a high elevation, dry-farmed vines are high on Spring Mountain. This Riesling offers beautiful aromas of white flowers, dried ginger and just the slightest kiss of petrol alongside a note of nectarine skin. The palate is vibrant with tangy lime pith, juicy Meyer lemon pulp and seaspray salinity throughout—a classic. (Drink between 2024-2035)" - Clive Pursehouse (April 2024)

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Brightening aromatics carry into abundant flavors of salted lemon, lime zest, and grapefruit pith. A pleasingly textural palate makes this sophisticated Riesling a perfect accompaniment for a range of foods. It is delicious now and will develop beautifully in the bottle. A firm and enticing wine." - Elaine Chukan Brown (Dec 2024)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Riesling is quite unusual in Napa Valley, but the Smith brothers make an outstanding version. Preserved lemons, kerosine and orange sherbet on the nose. The palate is focused and minerally, with notes of orange zest and candied kaffir limes carried by a textured, medium body. Very vibrant and fresh. Drink or hold." (Jul 2024)

93 Points - Owen Bargreen:
"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" (Jan 2025)

90 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Marked by scents of honey and Golden Delicious apples, the 2019 Riesling appears to be aging a bit rapidly, but it still retains plenty of current-drinking appeal. Medium-bodied and crisp, it finishes long. Drink it up over the next several years." – Joe Czerwinski (Oct 2024)