Chardonnay Reviews
St. Helena Star, February 12, 2018, Catherine Bugue
Beautifully melds the best of both worlds
2015 Chardonnay
http://napavalleyregister.com/star/wine/wine-of-the-week/wine-of-the-week-smith-madrone-chardonnay-spring-mountain-district/article_aace76a1-62ae-5f2c-8f79-23b685a8e3e7.htmlThis is the perfect Chardonnay to quell any disagreement over whether to pour an oak-influenced or a non-oaked Chardonnay wine. Smith Madrone beautifully melds the best of both worlds with their 2015 from Spring Mountain. Rich pear, and yellow and red apple fruits are supported, but not surpassed, by refined toasty, spicy (cinnamon, faint clove and fresh ginger) complexity.
WineReviewOnline, Rich Cook, February 6, 2018
A gorgeous wine
2015 Chardonnay
http://www.winereviewonline.com/wine_reviews.cfmA gorgeous wine that reflects the great care and gentle approach in both vineyard and winery. There's a deep complexity here, with lemon crème, soft apple, softer oak spice, and notes of granite and delicate herbs that are beautifully balanced, all dancing together through a blossoming finish that intensifies the flavors. The best of the past few vintages is right here, and that's saying something!
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, February 7, Peg Melnik
Gorgeous
2015 Chardonnay
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/7913374-181/wine-of-the-week-olemaKnock-Out Chardonnays: A gorgeous chardonnay with lively notes of ripe apple, melon and mineral. It’s buoyed by bright acid and has a lingering finish. Supple texture. Striking.
Bin Notes, L.M. Archer, February 6, 2018
Lush florals
2015 Chardonnay
https://binnotes.com/2018/02/06/the-hedonistic-taster-%E2%84%96-35-smith-madrone-napa-valley/Robe: Pale gold robe.
Nose: Apricot, nectarine, fleurs blanches.
Palate: Light body, lush florals and stone fruit bouche, unctuous finish.
Smith-Madrone wine represent the graceful soul of Old Napa combined with the unbreakable spirit of Napa Reborn – supple, approachable, with a powerful core of mountain je ne c’est quoi.
Terroirist.com, Isaac Baker, February 3, 2018
Superbly balanced
2015 Chardonnay
http://www.terroirist.com/2018/02/wine-reviews-california-new-releases-2/#more-26101Rich golden color. Smells of yellow apples and pears, drizzled with lime, nougat, honeycomb, chalk dust, chamomile, mint — Wow! On the palate, this has such refreshing acidity but the texture is creamy and there’s this tingly mineral depth that is fascinating, superbly balanced. Lemon curd, apricot, yellow apple, rich but nuanced fruit along with honeysuckle, salted almond, chalk dust, saline, candle wax. Lively and precise but packed with flavor and finishes with stony minerals. Always a classic Napa Chard for me, but this vintage is exceptional. Barrel-fermented and aged 10 months in French oak, 80% new, and yes it's 14.9% alcohol but the balance is phenomenal.
International Wine Report, Owen Bargreen, January 2018
Wonderful sense of place
2015 Chardonnay
http://internationalwinereport.com/latest-reports/9204-2015-smith-madrone-chardonnay-napa-valleyThis wine opens with a bright bouquet of peach pit, Pazzaz apple and honeydew melon. There is lovely balance as the wine offers a wonderful sense of place. Pink Lady apple, banana and creme brûlée flavors impress as they linger on the finish.
SoifKnows, Stephen McConnell, January 11, 2018
A spicy nectar so alive, so focused on mountain typicity
2014 Chardonnay
https://soifknows.com/2018/01/11/chard-goals/Golden yellow throwing big petrol coal-fire and rich melon fruit into your face. Dusky petrichor, smoky brittle, dense and filthily fruited with all the sultry nectar chalky nuance and bitter applesauce a wine can muster. Buttery and dense in the nose, with the acid bite apparent before the first taste.
One of my favorite Napa Valley chards, and the REASON IS: it goes with red meat better than a lot of red wines. I have trotted this out on several occasions to represent the main course and–amid much rolling of eyes–it cuts through savory steak and rich reductions better than some of the mainstay reds on the table.
In the mouth, bitter applesauce and persimmon personify the flinty bite of superbly crafted unctuous fermented white–rich but not fat, concentrated but not cloying–and the sultry points of the persimmon and melon complement both the rich fruit nuances of said, but also the vibrant edginess of each. The sharp acid visible in the bouquet translates firmly mid-palate, where the slow burn of alcohol and tannin prepare you for a decades-long finish reverently awash in sweet fruit and shockingly packed with bitter structure.
If you want your Chardonnay syrupy and collapsing on itself with butter and oak, this is the WRONG bottle to buy. But if you want to THINK about your Chardonnay: a spicy nectar so alive, so focused on mountain typicity and brilliantly churning decadent fruit balanced with terroir, minerality and citrus you might only see in Chablis, THIS is your beast. If you’ve eye-rolled too many times and somewhat given up on California Chardonnay, this is your bottle.
The Drunken Cyclist, Jeff Kralik, December 14, 2017
Outstanding
2014 Chardonnay
https://thedrunkencyclist.com/2017/12/14/continuing-to-embrace-napa-with-smith-madrone-and-addendum/For some stupid reason, I have never visited Smith-Madrone. Perhaps it is because it is a relatively new winery (that comment is dripping it sarcasm, it was founded in 1971). Maybe it is because I essentially gave up on Napa Valley several years ago as monstrosity after McWinery was constructed along Route 29. Recently, I have found a few reasons to reconsider the Valley that made the world notice American wine, and Smith-Madrone is right there at the top of the list. This is decidedly a California Chardonnay with plenty of fruit, and plenty of oak (100% new French), but this wine can handle it. Why? Well, it is grown on a mountain where there is a significant diurnal shift, thus maintaining considerable acidity, putting all that oak in its place. Great lemon curd, buttered popcorn, and wet rock. This might not be the ideal wine for the ABC crowd, it is certainly delicious. Outstanding. 90-92 Points.
California Grapevine, January 2018
Highly recommended
2015 Chardonnay
https://smithmadrone.wordpress.com/2018/01/06/2015-chardonnay-is-highly-recommended-in-california-grapevine/Medium-light golden yellow; toasty, green apple and tropical fruit aroma; medium-full body; apple, apricot, and pineapple flavors with firm acidity, some creaminess and richness in the mouthfeel, and a note of stony minerality; lingering aftertaste. Highly recommended.
WineSplashing, Rick Fillmore, October 2, 2017
94 points
2014 Chardonnay
https://winesplashing.com/2017/10/02/smith-madrone-napa-valley-wines/An elegant, exotic Chardonnay that was all estate grown in the Spring Mountain District using 42 year old vines. This Chardonnay is 100% varietal and was fermented 9 months in new French oak barrels. Wonderful aromas of bright pear, apple, almonds, and toffee. Medium to full bodied across the palate with a creamy mouthfeel. Enticing flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, hints of coconut, vanilla, and a long, toasty oak finish. Pair with Chicken Alfredo, grilled chicken or seafood, pastas with cream sauces and medium to strong cheeses. 94 Points.
Nittany Epicurean, Michael Chelus, October 6, 2017
Great structure and length
2014 Chardonnay
https://nittanyepicurean.blogspot.com/2017/10/2014-smith-madrone-chardonnay.htmlA newcomer to my ongoing series of discovery of some of the great wines of California is the Napa winery, Smith-Madrone. This wine is 100% chardonnay from Napa's Spring Mountain District. The wine was barrel fermented and aged in French oak barrels. The wine was oak aged for 9 months prior to bottling. It comes in at 14.2% ABV. The wine showed a golden color. Apple, lemon, honey, buttery oak and slate were each discernible on the nose. Apple, lemon candy, honey, oak and hay followed on the palate where the apple and citrus flourished on the oaky stage. The wine exhibited good acidity and balance, along with great structure and length. This wine would do well as an aperitif and would pair classically with a roast turkey breast.
WineForNormalPeople, Elizabeth Schneider, July 19, 2017
2014 Chardonnay
https://winefornormalpeople.com/lovely-napa-wines-but-the-question-remains-are-they-worth-the-money-given-whats-out-there/A golden straw color, the wine has a strong aroma of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and all other things oak. Underneath the oak climbs out lovely stony minerality, pear, peach, and tropical notes. The acidity is strong, giving the wine a nice balance to the oak and fruit. An excellent wine for those who love oaky Chardonnays but not flabby, one-note, boring ones! This wine is an example of solid oaked Napa Chard.
Made from their estate grown fruit high atop Spring Mountain, the brothers Smith, who own and operate the winery, are focused and land-oriented. Vines have thrived on the hillsides of their 200 acre property for over 100 years, and not much has changed. Smith Madrone dry farms their estate (they don’t use irrigation/watering), they study terroir – especially slope and soil type – to match the grape to the site, and the result is distinctive wines that have a sense of place.
Vinography, Alder Yarrow, August 6, 2017
Great acidity
2014 Chardonnay
http://www.vinography.com/archives/2017/08/vinography_unboxed_week_of_aug_5.htmlLight yellow-gold in color, this wine smells of buttered popcorn and cold cream. In the mouth, brilliantly juicy flavors of lemon and pink grapefruit are shot through with the saline notes of melted butter and kelp. Lovely pink grapefruit pith lingers with a salty snap in the finish. Great acidity. 14.3% alcohol.
The Wine Guys, August 5, 2017, Philip Kuo
93 points, really delicious and unique mountain Chardonnay
2014 Chardonnay
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXWq0tyhOyL/When you think of Spring Mountain, usually you're not thinking of Chardonnay, but there's nothing wrong with it, especially when it's tasty! Notes of lemon, lime peel, yellow apple, toasted almonds, white florals, crushed rocks, and tropical stone fruit. Incredible mineral-dustiness on the nose, that streamlines through the entire palate. Good weight on the mouthfeel but not overbearing in oak, even though it is very much present and creamy. Good focus and crispness with that huge backbone of minerality and acidity. Really delicious and unique mountain Chardonnay, enjoyable now over the next 5-7 years. Won't break your bank either, don't serve too cold.
Grape-Experiences, Cyndy Rynning, August 3, 2017
Glorious Chardonnay
2014 Chardonnay
http://www.grape-experiences.com/2017/08/fascinating-smith-madrone-the-people-the-place-the-wines/I was blown away by the taste sensations of this glorious Chardonnay that spent nine months in 100% new French oak. Elegant aromas of lemon, juicy citrus, apples and pears enticed and I was anxious for that first sip. On the palate, I discovered notes of tropical fruit such as melon and citrus, brilliant acidity, oak, and a creamy, buttery texture. All led to an exceptionally long finish and I savored every moment.
Rockinred Blog, Michelle Williams, July 25, 2017
Rich and round yet balanced
2014 Chardonnay
https://rockinredblog.com/2017/07/26/chardonnay-throwdown-california-vs-chile/#more-7742Medium- straw; medium+ aromas of orchard fruit, tropical fruit, yellow stone fruit, white floral notes, touch of nutmeg and valencia almonds; loads of juicy citrus and orchard fruit erupt on the palate, fresh and clean, judiciously oaked for maximum pleasure, rich and round yet balanced with medium acidity; medium+ body with long toasty finish.
International Wine Review, June 21, Don Winkler
92 points
2014 Chardonnay
http://i-winereview.com/blog/index.php/2017/06/30/smith-madrone-current-releases-from-spring-mountain-district-napa-valley/The 2014 Chardonnay is a delicious wine, perfectly balanced, lean and beautifully sculpted with a rich mouth feel. It seamlessly combines ripe orchard fruit and toasted oak in a lovely format that is very food friendly.
WineReviewOnline, Rich Cook, July 4, 2017
95 points
2014 Chardonnay
http://www.winereviewonline.com/wine_reviews.cfmYou may have seen earlier reviews in which I was blathering on and on about the legacy of quality at Smith-Madrone, and there won't be any cessation of the proceedings when it comes to this wine. In fact, I'd say they've upped the ante with this vintage. Winemaker Charles Smith increased the lees stirring significantly, and it shows. He notes that the mountain grown fruit is up to handling more new oak (100% new in 2014) and the stirring seems to bring out more fruit and spice character while retaining a bright elegance, delivering aromas and flavors of apple, lemon crème and spiced pear with a light touch of nut character. The racy acidity really blows out the finish and keeps your mouth watering for more. Thirsty yet? Get some to age as well -- this is going to go long.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Peg Melnik, May 17, 2017
Gorgeous and striking
2014 Chardonnay
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/6956156-181/wine-of-the-week-olema?ref=relatedThis is a gorgeous chardonnay, lush yet crisp, a commingling of delicious flavors. Aromas and flavors of pear, apple and mineral. Bright acidity. Supple mouth-feel. Striking.
Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, May 1, 2017
Wine of the Week
2014 Chardonnay
https://www.vintageexperiences.com/2017/05/01/wine-of-the-week-17/Chardonnays that are rich and buttery (and soft) became a hallmark style of wine in California in the 1980s and led a charmed life among a coterie of wine lovers who thought Chardonnay was a wine for sipping before dinner. The 1970s style that I was weaned on called for higher acid (less use of malolactic fermentation, or zero ML), and an almost angular, citrus-y aromatic. Very few wineries continue to make this style of wine. Here is one of the finest remaining versions of that style, perfectly presented as a Chablis-ish food wine with superb balance and still a trace of succulence based on mouth-watering crispness. Stu and Charlie Smith have been making this kind of wine for decades with few reviewers going gaga over it. Except me. If you have never tried a wine in this style, now is your best bet.
Good Vitis blog, Aaron Menenberg, April 26, 2017
93 points, top shelf chardonnay at a fantastic value
2014 Chardonnay
https://goodvitis.com/2017/04/26/good-vitis-unplugged-stu-smith-and-the-wines-of-smith-madrone/The nose dazzles with banana, oak, lemon-lime Sprite, and vanilla bean with nice streaks of flint and smoky white pepper. Super engaging profile. The palate is full with a glycerin sensation but avoids becoming cloying by offering a fine balance of bright acidity, slight grainy tannin and honeyed fruit. The flavors feature Meyer lemon, pineapple, tart Starfruit, nectarine, cider, saline, tarragon, slate and just a bit of chili flake kick. This is top shelf chardonnay at a fantastic value.
Wine Enthusiast, Virginie Boone, June 2017
92 points
2014 Chardonnay
http://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/smith-madrone-2014-estate-bottled-chardonnayFrom the producer's dry-farmed mountain vineyard, this wine is crafted from vines planted some 40 years ago. Peach, fig and pear wrap around this medium-weight wine's integrated oak and gravelly texture. The acidity is bright, uplifting and lush enough to find complete balance.
ArmchairSommelier, Kirsten Georgi, April 22, 2017
91 points
2014 Chardonnay
https://armchairsommelier.com/2017/04/22/good-steward-smith-madrone/Smith-Madrone's wines are made from well-tended, well-loved, dry-farmed vines. The wines are a lean, elegant, and focused expression of cool climate, mountain terroir. They reflect a consistency and keen sense of place . . . and good stewardship.
This wine underwent bâttonage (lees stirring), which, in addition to being really fun to say, gives a wine irresistible flavors of biscuit and dough. Beautiful nose of green apple, lemon and buttered brioche. Dry and highly textured, with flavors of yellow apple, pear, butterscotch, vanilla and biscuits. The oak is present to support, but not overpower, the fruit. The finish lingers with a passing almond.
BiggerThanYourHead, Frederic Koeppel, April 14, 2017
Excellent, one of my favorite chardonnays to taste in any and every year
2014 Chardonnay
http://biggerthanyourhead.net/2017/04/14/i-do-so-like-some-california-chardonnays-sometimes-here-are-12/Though this wine saw 100 percent barrel-fermentation and aging in 100 percent new French oak barrels — that’s a lot of wood in my book — the wine feels as if it had been chiseled from the bedrock of the 42-year-old, dry-farmed vineyard whence it originated, while the oak influence feels almost subliminal in lending the wine shape, size and subtle spice. It’s a beautifully proportional chardonnay in every aspect — made from a 42-year-old dry-farmed vineyard — displaying a pale straw-gold hue and enticing aromas of cloves, ripe pineapple and grapefruit with a touch of mango and guava and back-notes of quince and crystallized ginger; these elements segue seamlessly to the palate, where the wine feels etched by bright acidity that cuts a swath and a deeply-hewn, scintillating limestone quality. One of my favorite chardonnays to taste in any and every year. Excellent.
California Grapevine, April 2017
Highly recommended
2014 Chardonnay
Medium-light golden yellow; assertive, citrus, pear, and apple aroma; medium to medium-full body; crisp, nicely balanced, lemony, pear and apple flavors with bright acidity, a note of minerality, and some plushness in the mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste.
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Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery
P.O. Box 451/ 4022 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574
Telephone: 707.963.2283
