Riesling Reviews

WineReviewOnline, Rich Cook, August 24, 2021

Impeccable balance

2017 Riesling

96 points: I generally reserve scores above 94 points for wines that have the capacity to not only be delightful at present but also have the structure to age gracefully over several years.  To see this number on a white wine is fairly rare in my backlog, but it’s there when it fits, as it certainly does here.  The numbers help tell the story of this beautiful Riesling -- 3.05 pH, .898 TA (!) -- numbers typically seen only in sparkling wines due to early harvesting for high acidity.  The 2017 is barely perceptibly sweeter than many of the previous vintages that I’ve had the opportunity to taste, but the impeccable balance will have you at the bottom of the bottle in no time.  Tart apple, bright citrus, stony minerality and incredible finish push are the hallmarks here, and they promise to reward well into the future, which of course means that a case or two are in order.   

http://winereviewonline.com/wine_reviews.cfm

Wine Enthusiast, Virginie Boone, September 2021

94 points: light, complex and silky

2017 Riesling

94 points: This atypical variety for the area shines from the producer's steep, dry-farmed estate vineyard. Light, complex and silky on the waxy palate, it offers flavors of green apple, apricot and grapefruit alongside touches of honey and wet stone. 

https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/smith-madrone-2017-riesling-spring-mountain-district/

Talk-A-Vino, Anatoli Levine, May 17, 2021

One of the best Rieslings in the world

2017 Riesling

One of the best Rieslings in the world. Can an amazing Riesling be made outside of Germany? Taste this 2017 Smith-Madrone Riesling from Napa Valley and decide for yourself. In my book, this is one of the few Rieslings which I would be delighted to drink any day and every day.
A touch of honey and petrol on the nose make me not want to put down the glass ever. A distant honey note and clean acidity on the palate together with impeccable balance make this a “dangerous wine” - the wine which is gone before you notice that it is gone.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPLrG8EtGUn/

Imbiber's Journal, Steve McIntosh, July 14, 2021

What more could you want from a Riesling?

2017 Riesling

92 points: Crisp, elegant, and refreshing - even at four years of age - this is straightforward and true to the variety while being both sophisticated and very approachable. What more could you want from a producer or wine? And then there's the quenching acidity and very subtle industrial funk - catnip for any wine nerd. Yum. I'm not sure there's another domestic riesling I enjoy vintage after vintage as much as this one. Pricey, but worth it.

http://www.imbibersjournal.com/2021/07/vintage-after-vintage-2017-smith.html

James Melendez, July 16, 2021

Compelling, beautiful, elegant, crisp

2017 Riesling

Video review

Our thanks to James Melendez for his review of the 2017 Riesling: “…compelling, beautiful, elegant, crisp…” and more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l84Ai0Z7cG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l84Ai0Z7cG8

Wine Curmudgeon, Jeff Siegel, July 12, 2021

Highly recommended - the kind of wine that people who don't think they like riesling should try

2017 Riesling

Smith-Madrone’s riesling is a top-notch New World take on a classic grape: Once more into the riesling breach, dear readers: And why not? I’ve probably tasted more rieslings over the past 18 months than I have in the blog’s entire 14 year history. And I’ve rarely been disappointed. The Smith-Madrone, despite California’s lackluster track record with the grape, is just one more reason to sip and smile. This wine combines New World-style fruitiness with the varietal characteristics that make great riesling so much fun to drink. In other words, not sweet for the sake of sweetness, and not some kind of fruity confection because, you know, that’s what Americans drink. Look for lime zest, a bit of tingliness in the back, a hint of petrol, some sweetness floating around to remind you it’s riesling, just enough acidity to greet the sweetness, and stoniness in the finish. In fact, this is one of the few times where the wine geek descriptor “wet stone” almost makes sense. Highly recommended – the kind of wine that people who don’t think they like riesling should try. Even the very tough crowd on CellarTracker (the blog’s unofficial wine inventory app) likes this wine. And they usually only like high-end Napa wines.

https://winecurmudgeon.substack.com/p/expensive-wine-146-smith-madrone?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNDE2MzQ5LCJwb3N0X2lkIjozNzk0NDIyNSwiXyI6InBFbmFxIiwiaWF0IjoxNjI2MTAyNzQ1LCJleHAiOjE2MjYxMDYzNDUsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yODQxODMiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.L__WGi_M3uxq-F6w3ShkMA5joZn3IExzJRRJ7njtUD0

Trevor Felch, Nob Hill Gazette, July 2021

From mountain vineyard maestros....

2017 Riesling

Northern California wine world, the idea of cold-weather-adoring riesling vines thriving in the sun-drenched Napa Valley is certainly near the top. It seems like a terroir odd couple, but a handful of Napa Valley producers — led by this Spring Mountain District legend celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021 — have the steep terrain and temperate conditions to let riesling thrive. The 2017 from Smith- Madrone’s estate high above St. Helena is an exemplary version of a bright, balanced riesling, courtesy of mountain vineyard maestros Stu, Charles and Sam Smith. The nose approaches with a touch of tar and citrus oil, leading to ripe peach and bay leaf notes and concluding in a finish that conjures up melon draped with prosciutto. Move over chilled rosé — this is definitely the wine to pair with some sausages off the grill and fresh corn on the cob by the pool this summer.

https://nobhillgazette.com/one-bottle-smithmadrone-riesling-2017/

Napa Sonoma Magazine, Laura Levy Shatkin, Summer 2021

Run, don't walk, to snag a bottle

2017 Riesling

It’s hard to imagine such a classic riesling grown up the mountain in St. Helena. This charmer, with a silky texture and deep flavors of grapefruit and citrus, has a good dose of acidity to pair with your favorite summer foods, such as grilled seafood, goat cheese, or a garden-fresh summer salad. Fewer than 1,500 cases are made so run, don’t walk, to snag one.

https://www.napasonomamagazine.com/drink/new-sips-in-napa-and-sonoma/article_792e4820-cf01-11eb-bd43-0bbf104eb927.html

Beverage Dynamics Magazine, July 2021

WOW! A classically beautiful Riesling

2017 Riesling

95 points: The wine is 100% Riesling and produced from the same Spring Mountain vineyards, in the same way every year, yet the wines continually offer new characteristics every vintage. This Riesling has a light straw core with light legs. The nose offers wet rocks, white flowers, cream and whiffs of petrol. The palate has medium intensity with flavors of Granny Smith apples, orange blossoms and Bosc pear that jump into medium-plus acidity and tinges of honeysuckle. The finish is balanced and lip-smacking with touches of lime custard, minerals and petrol. A classically beautiful Riesling. WOW!

NittanyEpicurean, Michael Chelus, June 24, 2021

Good acidity and balance

2017 Riesling

The wine showed a bright yellow color. Pear, apple, lemon, petrol and citron all arrived on the nose. Pear, lemon curd, peach, citron and hints of dried apricot followed on a palate that began with pear and citrus and meandered its way to just a hint of dried stone fruit. The wine exhibited good acidity and balance. It was light-bodied and demonstrated good length. This wine would do as well as an aperitif as it would alongside a classic dim sum dish - Har Gow (shrimp dumplings).

http://nittanyepicurean.blogspot.com/2021/06/2017-smith-madrone-riesling.html

The Tasting Panel Magazine, June 2021, Meridith May

One of our favorite California Rieslings year after year

2017 Riesling

94 points: Grapes grown on steep mountain vineyards continue to create one of our favorite California Rieslings year after year. Aromas of beeswax, buttercup and wet stone are enticing, and flavors of passion fruit are accentuated by fine acidity and a remarkable mouthfeel. Daisy, lemon blossom and freshly sliced Anjou pear feel serene as saltiness refreshes the palate, urging another sip.

Terroirist.com, Isaac Baker, June 6, 2021

Consistently one of the most exciting California Rieslings 

2017 Riesling

94 points: Smith-Madrone’s Spring Mountain Riesling does it again; it is consistently one of the most exciting California Rieslings I’ve come across. Light yellow color. Aromas of gorgeous limes, orange peels, exquisite fruit mixed with white flowers, new tennis balls, wild mint, with chalky and saline tones. Pristine acidity, zesty, a chalky and salty appeal with white flowers, white pepper and wild green onion tones. Lime, orange and kiwi fruit provide generous support for this intense but refined wine. Perfume, focused, dry yet ripe, this is complex and age-worthy, and a consistently spectacular California Riesling.

https://www.terroirist.com/2021/06/wine-reviews-california-wines-for-summer/

MyRedWineGuys, June 3, 2021

Truly an exceptional wine

2017 Riesling

Wow, what a surprise! All of us were anticipating a sweet wine that we would try to move quickly beyond. Not the case here! Stu’s passion for this varietal is strong as he speaks about this Alsace style wine. A beautiful dry wine with a floral and peachy bouquet. Smith-Madrone is one of the last wineries in Napa to grow this grape. If you gravitate towards red wines, then this white wine might be an OMG moment for you. Truly an exceptional wine.

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

James Suckling, May 15, 2021

94 points: a showstopper!

2017 Riesling

94 points: A show-stopper! The lovely candied-orange and orange-cream nose leads you into the succulent palate, which has a wonderful combination of vibrancy and concentration, the kind of which you don’t expect from a Californian riesling. The hint of tannin is as well integrated as the racy acidity, and all this pulls together on the powerful, mineral finish. Drink or hold.

HTTPS://WWW.JAMESSUCKLING.COM/TASTING-NOTES/152838/SMITH-MADRONE-RIESLING-NAPA-VALLEY-SPRING-MOUNTAIN-DISTRICT-2017/

Drinkhacker, Christopher Null, May 13, 2021

Exuberance on the palate

2017 Riesling

Fruity and floral but mostly dry, this riesling is a crowd pleaser with an exuberance on the palate that features lemons, figs, gooseberry, and melon notes. Lots of honey on the palate as the wine develops, sweetening up and showing more fruit and just a hint of oxidation. There’s also some saline minerality here, which is effective at brightening up the wine and giving it a sunny and satisfying sense of balance on the finish

https://www.drinkhacker.com/2021/05/13/review-wines-of-smith-madrone-2021-releases/

Oded's Wine Reviews, May 17, 2021, Oded Cohen

Very yummy

2017 Riesling

91 points:  Pale lemon in color with a yellow tint. Pretty nose of lemons, citrus, yellow apples, diesel, light tangerines, light river rocks, spices and minerals. Medium plus in body with high acidity. Dry on the palate with citrus, spices, lemons, apples, light earth, minerals, light sea salt and white pepper. Tangy finish with limes and grapefruit. This is a delicious Riesling from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Still young and would benefit from a a few years in the bottle. Already drinking nicely with nice balance. Good by itself or with food, and better after 45 minutes of airtime. Very yummy. A great sipping wine and a good pool wine too. Fresh with a dry finish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_IjeVtpWt/
Dry on the palate with citrus, spices, lemons, apples, light earth, minerals, light sea salt and white pepper. Tangy finish with limes and grapefruit. This is a delicious Riesling from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Still young and would benefit from a a few years in the bottle. Already drinking nicely with nice balance. Good by itself or with food, and better after 45 minutes of airtime. Not as complex as the 2016 vintage, but time will tell as this evolves in the bottle. Still very yummy. A great sipping wine and a good pool wine too. Fresh with a dry finish.

Vinography, Alder Yarrow, May 17, 2021

Wonderfully balanced

2017 Riesling

Pale gold with a hint of green, this wine smells of melted candle wax, tangerine pith, and a touch of white flowers. In the mouth, that paraffin quality continues, along with flavors of Asian pear, mandarin oranges, grapefruit, and white flowers. Wonderfully balanced, with just the barest hint of sweetness amidst the racy, mouthwatering acidity. Quite delicious, as usual, with great aging potential….It’s a classic Napa interpretation of Riesling produced unerringly every year by Smith-Madrone up on Spring Mountain, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Stu and Charlie Smith (joined in 2010 by Stu’s son Sam) have been making this wine for decades, and thankfully haven’t stopped, despite the vines being planted in what some might consider prime Cabernet country. Varietally correct and wonderfully delicious, it’s a wine that will please the fussiest of Riesling lovers.

https://www.vinography.com/2021/05/vinography-unboxed-week-of-5-9-21

PullThatCork, Nancy Brazil, March 13, 2021

Brilliant golden color with concentrated flavors of pineapple and more

2013 Riesling

Brilliant golden color in the glass with concentrated flavors of pineapple, apricot, ripe pear, petrol and crushed gravel. Notable acidity keeps me salivating. The color is darker and the flavors have become considerably more concentrated since we first tasted this wine in 2016. During that visit we tasted the Smith-Madrone 2013 and 2014 Rieslings together. This 2013 Riesling was lush compared to the more austere 2014. Charles told us, “At the 20-year mark the 2013 will be insanely delicious. The 2014 will have 10 years to go.” Clearly we didn’t make the 20-year mark, but we have no regrets because this Riesling is pretty darn delicious right now.

Not only is this Riesling delicious on its own, it makes a brilliant dinner partner. I put together a simple pasta dish that has me thinking of springtime - creamy pasta with peas and prosciutto. The acidity of the Riesling is even more notable when paired with creamy pasta.

We found this beauty we purchased several years ago when we visited Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery in Napa’s Spring Mountain District. Riesling might not be the first variety you think of in Napa, but it’s the first wine Stuart and Charles Smith made in the early ‘70s. The brothers have a serious appreciation and respect for Riesling and know how to craft bright, brilliant, flavorful Riesling.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMXs5lBLLrn/

PullThatCork, Nancy Brazil, April 16

Generous and juicy acidity

2017 Riesling

Light golden color in the glass with aromas of petrol and stone fruit. Flavors follow with white peach and pear, stony minerality with a bit of roundness in the mouth. The fruit flavors might lead you to think the wine is off-dry but the finish tastes dry with generous and juicy acidity. This Riesling has just been released. Obviously, the Smiths don’t rush their winemaking. The flavors are lively, with a bit of roundness in the mouth and notable acidity. It is a pleasure to sip on its own and it loves food. The first evening we enjoyed this wine with Thai Peanut Chicken Salad in Butter Lettuce. The richness of chicken from coconut milk and peanut butter was perfectly balanced by the acidity and flavors of the Riesling. On the second evening we sipped this charming Riesling with guacamole and chips. Should you have the restraint to make this Riesling last, it will be delicious for several days corked and stored in the refrigerator.

https://pullthatcork.com/2021/smith-madrone-riesling/

Kathleen Wilcox, April 22, 2021, Instagram

Steeeeeeeep slopes pay

2017 Riesling

Fantastically pure and crisp, grapefruit and stones, texture and spirit, zest. A precise white screamer in the best way. Steeeeeeeeep slopes pay.

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

Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Michelle Anna Jordan, April 20, 2021

Absolutely gorgeous

2016 Riesling

Absolutely gorgeous. Aromas are delicate and evocative of spring flowers, including rose and jasmine. On the palate, the wine is bright, refreshing, delicate and engaging, with flavors of honeysuckle, white grapefruit, Meyer lemon, lime, peach, cantaloupe, white pineapple, sweet orange zest and hints of minerality suggestive of celery. It is a beautiful expression of this varietal and how it blossoms into its full self in rocky mountain vineyards. This dry riesling has broad appeal at the table. 

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/vietnamese-noodle-salad-pairs-perfectly-with-smith-madrones-dry-riesling/

Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Peg Melnik, April 20, 2021

Wine of the Week: Striking

2017 Riesling

4.5 stars. A gorgeous riesling with aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, mineral and grapefruit. It’s intense yet nimble and light on its feet. Finishes crisp. Striking.

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/wine-of-the-week-smith-madrone-2017-spring-mountain-district-napa-valley/

Cameron Kossen, cmkwine Instagram, April 13, 2021

Perfectly balanced, with a silky texture, zesty minerality and long finish

2017 Riesling

With spring weather and everything in bloom, nothing pairs better than a fantastic Riesling and some afternoon sunshine. Opened a 2017 from Smith Madrone grown atop Spring Mountain in the northeastern corner of Napa. The cooler spot is just perfect to grow Riesling. The Smith brothers have been producing pure terroir driven wines for decades on their estate.This wine opened up beautifully with a whiff of petrol, jasmine and citrus blossoms. Crisp and clean wine. A great textured wine with flavors of honeysuckle, warm summer peach, apricot, orange zest, limestone, and jasmine. Perfectly balanced, with a silky texture, zesty minerality, and a long finish.
This wine is delicious out the gates but will evolve for a decade or more. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNm9M00LyS5/

EveWine101, Eve Bushman, April 16, 2021

Not your mother's Riesling...it's all grown up

2017 Riesling

This wine has the exact shaped bottle a Riesling from Germany has, long with a slender neck, meant to mimic a perfume bottle. Aromas of white flower, lemon-lime, white peach and cool, wet pebbles. The taste was not sweet, so if you are expecting an overly sweet Riesling, this isn’t it, or in other words, this is not your mother’s Riesling. It’s all grown up and it leaves the sugar behind. Bone dry, lemonade, limeade, and fresh fruit including pineapple and melon. We had this with a Caesar Salad topped with warm grilled chicken. Perfect.

http://evewine101.com/2021/04/16/smith-madrone-chard-cab-and-riesling-oh-my/

BiggerThanYourHead, Frederic Koeppel, April 12, 2021

A masterpiece

2017 Riesling

Made from dry-farmed, mountain-side grapes, the Smith-Madrone Riesling 2017, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, reveals its typical purity and intensity of purpose and effect in every molecule. The color is a radiant medium golden hue with a tinge of pale green; aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle, peach and apricot, lime peel and flint are permeated by riesling’s classic note of petrol or rubber eraser, every element impeccably seamless and integrated; on the palate, the wine is rich with apple and grapefruit flavors that tend toward quince and ginger, all animated by riveting acidity and a burgeoning tide of limestone minerality; the texture is almost sumptuous yet deftly held in check by a sense of spare elegance, the whole point being perfect balance in all parts, top to bottom; a few minutes in the glass bring in hints of candied orange zest and a wild, earthy note that partakes equally of meadows and forests; the finish is bracingly dry and saline. 12.9 percent alcohol. Production was just under 1,500 cases. A masterpiece, not to be missed by lovers of the grape. Exceptional. 

https://biggerthanyourhead.net/2021/04/wine-of-the-day-no-656/

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