Riesling Reviews

CleanPlates.com, by Peter Hellman, April 14, 2017

A nimble partner which ages beautifully

2014 Riesling

Contrary to what the poet said, April is not the cruelest month, at least not when it comes to wine. If you’re wondering what to pour with your Easter meal, Passover Seder, or any Spring celebration, this is the month to leave behind the heavier wines of winter and bring on brighter, lighter bottles. Read on for wines that tick all the boxes: Delicious, organic and/or sustainably grown, affordable, and widely available. You can thank us later.

Smith-Madrone Riesling: For delicate, white-fleshed fish, such as spring’s first flounder, a nimble partner is this bottling, evoking ripe honeydew melon spritz with Meyer lemon. If you spot an older vintage, grab it. This wine ages beautifully for years.


http://www.cleanplates.com/eat/menus/best-wines-to-serve-for-easter-and-passover-spring-celebrations/

St. Helena Star, April 13, 2017, by Catherine Bugue

Wine of the Week: best riesling in Napa Valley, hands down

2014 Riesling

Amid the millionaires, castles and vanity wines that spring up in Napa Valley, there remain salt-of-the-earth types who came here without pretense, with a love of the land, and the grit to conquer the rugged terrain in the name of fine wine. The Smith brothers (Stuart and Charles) epitomize that renegade spirit of the second wave of individualists who came to Napa Valley and made something out of nothing.

Their foresight should be legendary: they listened to forebears; looked at the steep slopes of Spring Mountain and saw great wines. One of their most sought-after productions is their riesling, and the 2014 has laser-like fruit focus with refreshing, yet deeply nuanced, complexity. This is the best riesling in Napa Valley, hands down.


http://napavalleyregister.com/star/wine/wine-of-the-week/smith-madrone-riesling-spring-mountain/article_020e3cda-7341-5616-8bc6-49cf62f4e36f.html

Washington Wine Blog, Owen Bargreen, April 3, 2017

Lovely structure

2014 Riesling

This high elevation Riesling wine shows brisk acidity considering the heat of the vintage. Aromatically subdued at first when needing a one hour decant, this wine begins with a bouquet of white roses, honeysuckle, unripe pear and petrol. There are deep flavors of Gravenstein apple, unripe honeydew melon, lemon rind and a touch of green papaya. This has lovely astringency and structure, as this currently displays an almost unctuous mouthfeel. Drink 2017-2022.


http://www.washingtonwineblog.com/blog/2017/4/4/smith-madrone

Winethropology, Steve McIntosh, March 30, 2017

Zippy finish

2014 Riesling

High above the valley floor west of St Helena sits the Spring Mountain District, one of Napa Valley's sixteen AVAs.  With steep hillside vineyards reaching altitudes upwards of 1500 feet, this is prime cab country.  And at the very end of Spring Mountain Road is Smith-Madrone. Founded in 1971, Smith-Madrone winery was a pioneer in the practice of dry farming, still a very rare pursuit in California.  That they are able to crank out quality wines - not just cabernet, either - from this location and in this manner is impressive indeed.  Having been up there a couple of times before, a jaunt off the well-trodden route 29 is highly recommended.  Quiet and serene, Spring Mountain feels like the rest of Napa probably did in the seventies. The wines are all made with precision and clarity.  Honesty of place shines through in them all.  Lovely wines.

The Riesling is crystalline platinum blonde in the glass offering faint petrol and funk aromatics typical in some rieslings. This gives way to a light bodied and very clean palate.  Low viscosity, and quite dry, but not at all lacking in flavor or character.  The zippy finish has terrific acidic grip with citrus nuances and a nice mineral bump. All this while clocking in at under 13% ABV.  Very Alsatian in style.  Very enjoyable with or without food.


http://www.winethropology.com/2017/03/smith-madrone-current-releases.html

GrapeCollective, Chris Barnes, March 23, 2017

Explodes with flavors of fresh peaches, apricots and orange flowers

2013 Riesling

Whether ice cold or room temperature, the wine explodes with flavors of fresh peaches, apricots and orange flowers. It's a dry style of wine, but not bone dry and should age for at least 15 years.


https://grapecollective.com/articles/smith-madrone-a-napa-cabernet-thats-classy-and-ageable-in-english-or-latin

Intrepid Media, Cathy Huyghe, March 20, 2017

Way beyond sustenance

2014 Riesling

This wine arrived just in the nick of time. 

It was a Friday night, my husband and I were home alone, our twin boys having been invited to a sleepover elsewhere. It was a long and exhilarating week of work that we both love but lordy, by that point, exhaustion had won out.

We didn’t want to cook, we didn’t even want much to think. It was an order-in night for dinner — Thai food, in our case — and it was the sustenance kind of dinner that you expect to fuel you with calories and, honestly, not much else.

But then there was this wine. 

It had arrived earlier in the week, along with bottles that this particular Napa producer is frankly better known for, namely Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. But my husband and I are both suckers for Riesling, and spicy Thai food was on the way. We pulled the cork, casually poured a few measures of the wine into our glasses, and took our seats.

To be honest, I didn’t even smell it first. I know I should have; it’s something “wine people” do, but this producer is familiar and I respect their wines and their process. They want to make wines that express their place on the earth, they say, and they also want to make wines that express themselves as people and as winemakers.

That, I get. As winemakers in Napa for more than 40 years, certainly Stu and Charles Smith are keyed into what the market wants and what their land is best suited to produce. By and large, for them on Spring Mountain, that means Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

But then there is this Riesling.

This Riesling says that they have their independent streak. It says that they listen hard enough to their land (and its steep hillsides) that they know it is suited, too, to produce the grapes for this wine. It says that they know this wine will be good.

This Riesling IS good, and refreshing, though in a way-beyond-sustenance kind of way. You get oranges and white flowers and fresh acidity. You get the desire to take another sip and then another.

It’s the kind of Riesling that reminds you to be grateful that wine, and this wine, is part of our life. It’s the kind of wine that makes you grateful that your kids have a friendly and active social life, and that you have this time alone with the person who loves you most in the all the world.

It’s the kind of wine that I’m hungry to drink, with Thai food for dinner or many other things too. It was just the right thing at just the nick of time, to pull us back from the far edge of everyday life.


http://intrepid.media/2014-smith-madrone-riesling/

Terroirist, Isaac Baker, March 18, 2017

One of the most consistently inspiring Rieslings from California

2014 Riesling

Light gold color. Complex aromas of white peach, lime and banana, along with white tea, floral perfume, notes of saline and crushed rocks. Plum fruit (nectarine, peach, lime) but it’s pure and zesty with a dry profile and focused acidity. Lovely mix of chalk, mountain stream, minerals, nettle, cut flower stems. Super clean and refreshing but lots of staying power for the cellar. One of the most consistently inspiring Rieslings from California, Smith-Madrone has been putting out high quality Spring Mountain Riesling since the early ’80s. I’d love to see how this beautiful wine ages for a decade. (91 points IJB)


http://www.terroirist.com/2017/03/wine-reviews-smith-madrone/#more-24617

International Wine Report, August 2016

Well balanced with a wonderful mix of fruit and acidity

2014 Riesling

This fantastic Spring Mountain Riesling opens with pretty aromas of white peach, lychee and lime followed by crushed stones and hints of white floral, which all take shape beautifully in the glass. On the palate this fresh and inviting Riesling is well balanced with a wonderful mix of fruit and acidity. Overall, this is a dry style of Riesling, but there is a lovely hint of residual sugar, making this impossible to resist. 


http://www.internationalwinereport.com/latest-reports/reports-usa/217-california/spring-mountain-district/6422-2014-smith-madrone-riesling-napa-valley

The Somm Journal, Fred Swan, December 2016-January 2017

Terroir is truly unique

2014 Riesling

Lemon, honeysuckle, green apple and a hint of petrol show in the dry 2014 Riesling. It's very long and juicy on the palate.


http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/759645-dec-2016-jan-2017/26

Fred Swan, FredSwan.com, November 23, 2016

True pioneer of Spring Mountain wines and still going strong

2014 Riesling

 Smith-Madrone is a true pioneer of Spring Mountain wines and is still going strong. The 2014 Smith-Madrone Riesling Spring Mountain District is a fresh, dry, medium-bodied wine with alive with lemon-lime and under-ripe apricot.


http://www.fredswan.wine/2016/11/23/spring-mountain-wines-you-need-to-try/

San Francisco Chronicle, Esther Mobley, September 28, 2016

One of the most impressive California Rieslings I've tasted

2014 Riesling

From the Smith brothers’ high-elevation, dry-farmed vineyard in Napa’s western mountains, these Riesling vines date back to 1972. Petrol flavors and aromas shine through in this savory wine, which tastes of juniper berry, orange blossom and white flower. It opens with a kick of fizziness, dissipating after a second. One of the most impressive California Rieslings I’ve tasted.

 


http://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/Tasting-Notes-California-Riesling-9383332.php

Food & Spirits Magazine, Mark Gudgel, summer 2016

Best Riesling I've had from California, period

2014 Riesling

 Think Alsace. This is the kind of Riesling you can pair with steak, lay down to age for a few decades, or both. I’ve had dozens of Rieslings from California, and this one is the best I’ve tried, period. 


http://fsmomaha.com/wp-content/uploads/FSM24_LR.pdf

NapaFoodandVine, August 16, 2016

Superb example of the grape at its best

2014 Riesling

 This is a WOW! Pear, grapefruit, and melon on the tongue; a perfect sip, not too dry, not too sweet. The quality of this wine for the price is outstanding.  Riesling is a very versatile grape that can be used to make dry white wines with complex flavour profiles. Smith-Madrone’s Riesling is a superb example of the grape at its best.


http://napafoodandvine.com/2016/08/16/smith-madrone-winery-and-vineyards-tasting-notes-post-100/

Grape-Experiences, Cindy Rynning, August 11, 2016

As elegant as delectable

2013 Riesling

Smith Madrone Winery, located in St. Helena, is a pioneer in dry farming.  All wines are in the Spring Mountain appellation of Napa Valley and are not only estate-grown, but estate-bottled. The Smith Madrone Riesling 2013 is just as elegant as it is delectable. The aromas of stone fruit, white peaches, dried apricot, and hint of lime wafted from the glass. I couldn’t wait to take a bite of the crab and a sip of this dry Riesling. On the palate, I found refreshing notes of melon, yellow flowers, and touch of spice, flavors that truly complemented the salinity of the crab, the spice of the curry, and other ingredients. With lip smacking acidity and a long finish, it wasn’t difficult to pour more than one glass of this wine, one that showed more complexity that I could have ever imagined. 


http://www.grape-experiences.com/2016/08/wine-dine-smith-madrone-riesling-2013-hampton-roads-crab-imperial/

Susan Spinello, LiveLeft, July 12, 2016

Orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle with lemon zest and crisp minerality

2014 Riesling

A dry Riesling that has been grown and produced from the same vineyard, pruned by the same people in the same style and left to Mother Nature to impart annually distinct flavors, scents and character.  The Smith brothers have been growing and producing Riesling since 1983 (about 17 years before the rest of California attempted to jump on the bandwagon).  It has been hailed as one of the 50 best wines in the world according to Stuart Pigott, author of “The Best White Wine on Earth:  The Riesling Story.”  Orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle with lemon zest and crisp minerality, followed by white peach and pear with a creamy, lingering finish.  Perhaps this is the best Riesling on Earth and why Charlie saved the best for last.


http://www.liveleft.com/napa-and-sonoma/

Nancy & Peter Brazil, PullThatCork, July 18

Mineral driven, very fresh

2014 Riesling

Weightless in the mouth, mineral driven and very fresh. Charles described it as edgier, racier and more austere (than the 2013).


http://pullthatcork.com/2016/smith-madrone/

Mark Gudgel, ITheeWine, July 15, 2016

95 points

2014 Riesling

The 2014 Riesling is an impressive example of what dedicated, knowledgeable winemakers can do with good fruit. The Smiths craft the varietal in a manner far more reminiscent of Alsace than of the ways that many Californian producers are inclined to bastardize the varietal, as if somewhere it is written that it should sit on the bottom shelf and compete with the White Zinfandel. The 2014 Smith-Madrone Riesling is bone dry and very smooth, with that familiar nose of petrol and the crispness of a dry English cider. With high acidity, subtle notes of white fruits, and a clean finish, this is a beautiful wine.  In my estimation, it could compete amongst the best Rieslings in the world


HTTPS://ITHEEWINE.COM/2016/07/15/SMITH-MADRONE-RIESLING-2014-95-PTS/

Wine & Spirits Magazine, August 2016

92 points, refreshing and discreetly elegant, Year's Best U.S. Riesling

2014 Riesling

From Stu and Charles Smith’s 42-year-old riesling vines high up Spring Mountain, this captures the sage-like scent of the hills in a refreshing and discreetly elegant white. Hints of orange blossom and lemon zest fill out the mineral-inflected acidity, then the wine juices up again in the finish, clean and refreshing. 



The Tasting Panel Magazine, June 2016

A wine of pure individuality

2013 Riesling

It’s just fun to play with wines of pure individuality. Riesling finds a fun manifestation in Smith-Madrone’s Spring Mountain example---jasmine, honeysuckle, white peach and nectarine and just 12.6% alcohol.


http://digital.copcomm.com/i/687399-june-2016/108

Gayot.com, April 2016

Top 10 Mother's Day wine

2013 Riesling

Top Ten Mother's Day Wines: Originating from terroir that winemaker Stuart Smith purchased in 1971, the Smith-Madrone vineyards produce grapes perfect for crafting French- and German-style wines. The Smith-Madrone 2013 Riesling boasts aromas of stone fruit, white flower and honeysuckle. Flavors of citrus and stone fruit are rounded out by a creamy finish.


http://www.gayot.com/wine/top10mothers-day-wines/smith-madrone-2013-riesling.html

Decanter Magazine, February 2016, by Adam Lechmere

92 points

2013 Riesling

Orange blossom nose with hints of gasoline then white flowers on the palate and developing peach and pear fruit. Bone-dry minerality will soften. Curiously charming. 



California Grapevine, January 2016

Very highly recommended

2014 Riesling

Light yellow; fragrant, floral, citrussy, white peach and green apple aroma with hints of kiwi and honeysuckle; medium body; crisp, citrus and stone fruit flavors with bright acidity and a silky mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.



St. Helena Star, December 31, 2015 by Catherine Bogue

The Smiths do Riesling brilliantly

2014 Riesling

If you want salt-of-the-earth, look no further than Smith Madrone. Stu and Charlie Smith have been making wine on their special slice of mountainous Napa Valley since the 1970s – and they are one of the prized and coveted producers of crisp, fruity and dry Napa Valley Riesling. Many producers can’t pull this off, but the Smiths do so brilliantly. The 2014 has a lightning bolt of acidity with crisp citrus fruits and minerality. A sip of this wine may have you declaring that the very heart of the Napa Valley is in them there hills.


http://napavalleyregister.com/star/business/smith-madrone-riesling-spring-mountain-district/article_e65509b4-de91-5bb0-ae8d-56aa7662588c.html

Santa Rosa Press Democrat, December 14, 2015, by Peg Melnik

Pitch perfect balance

2013 Riesling

This riesling will turn heads with its great minerality. It has gorgeous stone fruit of apricot and peach, with lime in the mix. This riesling is rare because it has pitch perfect balance. Strikingly crisp.


http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2015/12/14/wine-and-the-politics-of-holiday-feasts/

Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, November 25, 2015, Peg Melnik

Great minerality and gorgeous stone fruit

2013 Riesling

4 stars (Highly Recommended)

This riesling has great minerality and gorgeous stone fruit of apricot and peach, with lime in the mix. No question, it will pair exceptionally well with the rich foods at your feast.

Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, November 25, 2015, Peg Melnik



<< PREVIOUS - Page 11 of 14 - NEXT >>