Smith Madrone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District

Consistent with previous notes. At 25 years of age, this still has some of the structure found in most 10-year old Cabs these days, but the highlight of this wine is the incredibly perfumed nose (you can smell it across the room) and deep, juicy plum notes on the palate. On the sweet side - did not get much savory off-set - but was still a joy. Drink 2020-2030. Technical score: 93. Enjoyment score: 93.

Decanted 5+ hours ahead of grilled filet, potatoes, and asparagus on Mother's Day. Dark purple/blue with a violet hue. Fragrant nose brings cherry blossoms, eucalyptus, raspberry pie, and savory herbs. The palate is medium-full, concentrated, tart, and juicy, bringing ripe raspberries, cherries, blackberries, espresso bean, pipe tobacco, horse saddle, mushrooms, and lingering notes of strawberry pie into the lengthy, textured finish. Quite possibly the WOTY for us thus far. An elegant beauty aging gracefully with good concentration and finesse on …

Damaged cork. Really bummed.

On day two that is just picking up steam. Massive blue fruits, violets, stiff palate, gorgeous.

Took about 30-min in the decanter for the funk to blow off. Consistent with previous notes from May, except in this bottle there was a more potent, juicy burst of red and dark fruit serenaded with the usual menthol eucalyptus and herbs. Still plenty of structure to last a while.

This drank more on the finesse side compared to two years ago. The classic SM acid/tannic frame is there, but definitely more round and soft than I am used too. Phenomenal nose of the usual: sweet cherry tobacco, eucalyptus, dried leather, herbs, and candied raspberries into the funky finish, which still has some good tannins. OLD SCHOOL. Went excellent with grilled flank steak off the grill.

Decanted 5 hours before consuming with grilled fillet, potatoes, and broiled brussel sprouts. Medium-bodied with dark cranberry color. Typical BIG SM nose of eucalyptus, cedar, cherry, and earth. Dried cranberry, moss, evergreen, and heavy cedar with touch of cinnamon on the mid-palate. Finished with a strong bite before dinner but it mellowed out and integrated perfectly with food. Acid and tannins still framing this wine hard. Has 10+ years ahead yet the fruit is showing well. In a very nice …

Big wine, cherry, tobacco, controlled tannin. A great wine at the price point.

Layers of red fruit...still has some tannic expression, but clearly at or near peak now. Still a very vibrant wine..

a bit more oaky from the last bottle i opened, which is a bit perplexing, still a good wine, smooth and classic Cabernet flavors.

Still plenty of life in these bottles. Very complex nose...broad rich Fruit remains...

($25) The tannins have receded nicely in this wine. Fruity with anise and earth nuances. Ripe, still somewhat acidic. Nice. Medium-full bodied, maybe medium-straight bodied, particularly next to the Phoenix Cabernet. Not bad.

($25) This wine appears to have turned a corner since my last tasting. The fruit is ripe and fairly sweet. The tannins are somewhat intrusive but mostly supple. Full bodied with some mocha-coffee accents. Cellared 10 months or so. The winery is on Spring Mountain

Dense - could use a bit more time. Reduced currant fruit with a touch of oak and some earthy olive overtones. Finish shows an upturn of tannin or acidity. Meaty like a steak and quite tannic - but big and fun. Not bad QPR. Supposedly the winery is next t