Cabernet Franc Reviews

Michael Kelly, CaliforniaWinesandWineries, September 29, 2025

Winner at the 6th Annual International Cabernet Franc Competition

2021 Cabernet Franc

At the 6th Annual International Cabernet Franc Competition, Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery entered their first ever Cabernet Franc. It was placed in the $71-$85 category for California Cabernet Franc wines. Two different sets of judges rated their wine. From the disciplined Professional Judges they received a Gold Medal. From the People’s Judges they received both a Gold Medal and Best of Category for their price range. An excellent result from their first release of Cabernet Franc!

The 2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Franc comes from their vineyards that have been “pruned, cultivated and harvested in the same manner, creating wines of distinction and complexity” per Stuart. The wine is 89% Cabernet Franc and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon coming in at 14.7% alcohol. The wine spent 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels slumbering to perfection!

This Cabernet Franc on the eyes is dark and intriguing beckoning the imbiber to come closer and partake of a sip. On the nose, aromas of violets and pepper are dominant wafting into the senses. On the palate, medium weight and creamy (not taste), but a texturally sensation in the mouth. Black cherries are the primary and first flavor that springs forth. Secondary flavors of smooth blueberries surround the palate with joyous “chanting.” On the finish, silky smooth and caressing tannins catch your attention for a tasty conclusion to each sip.

Smith-Madrone Vineyards produced only 153 cases compared to their world famous dry Riesling of 1,087 cases. The current release of 2021 will not be available long and listed on their website for $85/bottle.

On my previous visit to Smith-Madrone I was able to taste it prior to being released. Now having more than a taste, this wine will now make my Annual Best Wines Tasted in the calendar year. This now gives Smith-Madrone two for 2025.

The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon

Chose this wine specifically to pair with a seared (1500 degrees) and BBQ’ed ribeye steak to medium rare. Accompanied by a Yukon potato and sauteed Brussel sprouts with mushrooms slices. An excellent treat with the wine and steak being paired beautifully this evening.

I can hardly wait to taste their second vintage of Cabernet Franc!

https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/09/29/2021-smith-madrone-vineyards-winery-cabernet-franc-an-immediate-winner/

Talk-A-Vino, Anatoli Levine, August 28, 2025

Spicy and delicious

2021 Cabernet Franc

Dark garnet. Ripe black currant, dark chocolate, fat, juicy, exciting. Delicious, black currant, dark chocolate, a rich California Cab Franc style, bell pepper came in later, together with a beautiful black pepper note, spicy and delicious.

Stu Smith and his brother, Charlie, founded the winery in 1971 in the Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley. When Stu was buying a property overflowing with trees, he was told that he was making the mistake of his life. But the best wines are born out of conviction - add perseverance, gumption, hard work, ingenuity, and imagination - just get all of these ingredients, and you might also be able to make some beautiful wines.

https://talk-a-vino.com/2025/08/28/beautiful-wines-of-smith-madrone/

Sierra Wine Guy Instagram, Joe Campbell, May 24, 2025

It’s high-elevation honesty

2021 Cabernet Franc

First sip? It doesn’t ask permission. It hijacks your palate like a stolen muscle car roaring down a mountain road at midnight—taillights blazing, motor howling, windows down. Tannins grip—firm, dirty, but righteous—like a handshake from a man who’s built fences in the sun. Mid-palate? Forget polished fruit and Parisian manners. This opens like a shotgun shack door in August—herbs, leather, cracked earth, a touch of sage and that unmistakable Spring Mountain funk: wild, evergreen, untamed. It’s high-elevation honesty in a lowdown world. And the finish? Savory, a little bitter, a little wild—It lingers with purpose. Not to flatter, but to remind you where it came from—steep, volcanic slopes and people who still make wine with their hands.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKDb9UYSCrn/

Rich Cook, WineReviewOnline, April 30, 2025

Crafted with a premium on purity and sturdy structure that will live for decades, but can also be an absolute treat now

2021 Cabernet Franc

95 points: It is easy to see why the Smith brothers opted to make this (their maiden offering of Cabernet Franc) as a single-variety bottling. Normally deployed as a role player in the winery’s famed Cabernet Sauvignon, it deserves its star turn in what continues to be a stellar vintage, with rich cherry fruit, well folded oak spice and supple tannins that really stretch things out on the palate. Like all wines from Smith-Madrone, it is crafted with a premium on purity and sturdy structure that will live for decades, but can also be an absolute treat now. It is a very small production lot, so jump in! Contains 11% Cabernet Sauvignon.

https://winereviewonline.com/wine-review/smith-madrone-spring-mountain-district-napa-valley-california-cabernet-franc-2021-80/

Jon Fine, New Wine Review, March 4, 2025

Lots to like

2021 Cabernet Franc

Smoky, earthy, and structured. Herby nose, and notes of thyme. Lots to like here, but this will not be ready for years. This was bottled when I visited, but as of this writing it hasn’t yet been commercially released.

https://www.newwinereview.com/what-to-drink/napa-cabernet-tasting-notes/

AdVinetures, Chris & Alison Wallace, December 11, 2024

Sensational, luxurious texture

2021 Cabernet Franc

This was our first experience with a Smith-Madrone Cabernet Franc and one of only a few experiences with this grape from the Napa Valley. Many think Napa is too hot for a “Right Bank” grape but Spring Mountain is very different from the Valley floor. Beautiful deep red colour. This is a sensational red wine! Black cherry and plum get support from lots of forest floor notes. There are hints of stems, but not in any green or astringent way. After some air the nose turns more floral and becomes very pretty. The texture is luxurious, and shows both power and restraint. So complex that we pick up something new each time we return to the glass for another sip. Spectacular!

https://advinetures.ca/smith-madrone-vineyards-rooted-in-resilience/

<< PREVIOUS - page 1 of 1 - NEXT >>