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Lieber Max Mustermann,

 wenn man als Weingut einen eigenen Artikel auf DECANTER Premium bekommt, muss man schon ein besonderes Weingut sein.

Unter dem Titel „SMITH-MADRONE: TASTING A NAPA VALLEY PIONEER“, berichtet Elin McCoy ausführlich über das Weingut der Brüder Stuart (Stu) & Charles (Charly) Smith, hoch oben am Spring Mountain: „Smith-Madrone, known for its AGE-WORTHY, BALANCED WINES that also tend to be released at RELATIVELY REASONABLE PRICES...“.
Elin McCoy begründet Ihren Artikel mit der Tatsache, dass die Weine NICHT die Aufmerksamkeit bekommen haben, die sie verdienen: „Though respected, the Chardonnay, Riesling, and two Cabernets rarely make trophy lists and have never grabbed as much attention as they should. That’s why I headed to the winery to taste their history and find out what’s happening now.“


Den gesamten Artikel hat das Weingut aufbereitet und Sie können ihn gerne HIER nachlesen. Nachfolgend einige Auszüge:

„The Smiths are proudly old school in their winemaking philosophy, the age-worthy, balanced wines they make, the reasonable prices they charge, and the homely way they welcome visitors. The winery is the tasting room. The guides are the Smith brothers, or Stu’s son Sam, who is now assistant winemaker. (…)

At the time the Valley had fewer than 30 wineries.‘That was the era of the Joe Heitz model of starting a winery,’ Stu explains. ‘You studied oenology and worked at everything as opposed to making money in some other industry and then buying your way in.’ (…)

Their first Riesling, 1977, put them on the world wine map when it was named the ‘Best Riesling in the World’ in 1979 at an international competition sponsored by Gault-Millau. (…)

At the heart of their philosophy – and their success– are mountain terroir and dry farming. ‘Think of tomatoes,’ Stu says. ‘If you water them every day, they have no flavor. The same is true of grapes. Avoiding irrigation makes more concentrated wines.’ (…)

‘What distinguishes Spring Mountain wines is structure,’ says Charlie, and Smith-Madrone’s Cabernets have it.The duo championed unfiltered, unfined wines long before Robert Parker Jr made the idea popular.

Their FIRM, BALANCED, COMPLEX REDS show off cedary, herbal aromas and spicy-savoury dark fruit flavors and age for decades. 
The barrel-fermented CHARDONNAYS are the opposite of the oaky, buttery style, with distinctive floral aromas, succulence and racy acidity.

Until the 1980s they aged the estate red in French oak, then turned to American because it cost less.‘But the difference between American and French oak is like the difference between Baywatch and Sophia Lauren,’ says Charles, and since the mid-2000s they’re back to French, and have reduced the percentage of new barrels. The result is more elegance and brightness than ever.“

Elin McCoy verkostete Weine zurück bis 1979 und bewertete die gereiften Weine sehr hoch. Das bestätigt auch das, wovon ich überzeugt bin, nämlich dass die Weine dank ihrer Struktur, Säure und Energie sehr lange halten werden. Und ab sofort werde ich diese Weine auch privat weglegen und sammeln. Da trifft es sich doch gut, dass wir die Weine selbst importieren.

Sie werden es mir vermutlich nicht glauben, aber der Riesling ist bereits bei uns ausverkauft. Aber die beiden Cabernets und den Chardonnay haben wir noch – lassen Sie sich diese besonderen Weine nicht entgehen. Ich habe die Weine vor kurzem wieder verkostet, jeden Schluck genossen – ich bin total begeistert!

Wir freuen uns Ihnen die Charakterweine der beiden Charakterköpfe Stu & Charles Smith anbieten zu können:

- 94 Punkte PURELY DOMESTIC WINE REPORT, Doug Wilder: "The nose is a deep, oily lemon and hazelnut with notes of dry chalk, buttercream, licorice, sap and whiffs of toffee. The palate entry is a lean, pure white pear and citrus with a core of mouth-coating peach and lemon cream. Exceptional mouthfeel and texture. Drink 2019 – 2027."

- 94 Punkte FRED SWAN (Sommelier, Educator und Wine-Writer): "Smith-Madrone is an extremely reliable producer of excellent Chardonnay that is generous, but well-balanced. The wines have plenty of acidity, but are intended for relatively near-term enjoyment, rather than long aging. The 2016 is a great example of their style.
The nose is complex and beautiful. It’s bold out of the bottle, then mellows nicely in the glass. Aromas include just-ripe yellow apple and pear, baking spice, a chiffonade of mint, lightly toasted almond, and sweet cream. The palate is mouthwatering and features tangier fruit - lemon and green apple - along with the baking spice and sweet cream. Body is medium-plus and there’s the texture of fine, grippy silk holding everything together harmoniously. Drink now through 2022."

- 9/10 Punkte VINOGRAPHY, Alder Yayrrow: "Light yellow-gold in the glass, this wine smells of lemon curd and a touch of caramelized oak. In the mouth, bright lemon curd flavors mix with a hint of butterscotch and toasted oak. AS USUAL, THIS WINE WALKS THE LINE BETWEEN THE FRESHER, BRIGHTER STYLE OF NAPA CHARDONNAY AND OLD SCHOOL RICHNESS. 14.4% alcohol. Score: around 9."

- 93 Punkte Terroirist, Isaac Baker, am 24. 8. 2019: „Light yellow color. Aromas of juicy yellow apples topped in complex notes of honey, almond, cinnamon, sea salt, hay and chalk dust. Deep texture on the palate with pretty acidity and lovely balance. Yellow apples, candied lemons, orange peel and apricot, juicy and fruity but also airy and elegant. Salty, minerals, chalky, with notes of honey, nougat and hay. Gorgeous, deep, yet vibrant. Another beautiful Chardonnay from Smith-Madrone. Barrel fermented with 80% new French oak. I’d love to age this for five years. (93 points)“

-Advinetures, Alison and Chris Wallace: „Extraordinary: Wow! This is why California Chardonnay, in the hands of the top growers, can compete on the world stage with the very best. Gold in colour, we pick up bruised apple, stone fruit, melon and hints of tropical fruit. The textre of this wine is simply spectacular. The gorgeous mouth-feel is full and round and the back-end acidity maintains precise definition and gives this wine perfect balance. The Smiths found the fulcrum with this wine! The finish goes on and on and is infused with hints of mineral and lemon zest. At the winery when we tasted it we rated it Excellent/Extraordinary. We took a bottle to dinner that night. With food, this wine really shone and pushed up our rating.“

- JoS, verkostet im März 2020: "Kräftiges, strahlendes Goldgelb, mittlere Schlierenbildung; offenes Nasenbild, old-fashion Napa Valley, Anfangs präsente Streiholznoten, Aromen von fruchtigen, gelben Äpfeln, Birne, nicht ganz reife Ananas, reife Grapefruit, Butterkekse, viel Zitrusfrüchte, Limettenschale, geröstete Mandeln, nussige Anklänge, nasse Steine, erdige Anklänge; am Gaumen kraftvoll, cremige Textur und doch viel Frische, kräftige Säure die den Wein ausbalanciert und unter Spannung setzt, unterstützt von einer unheimlich salzigen Mineralität, hat Zzing, mundwässernd, viel Zitrus, enormer Zug, sehr tiefgründig, komplex, sehr langer, frischer Abgang, attraktiver Rückgeschmack; für mich ein toller Wein, ich liebe ihn; er verändert sich ständig, ist komplex, spannend und hoch interessant; unbedingt Dekantieren, Zalto Burgunder Glas! Am nächsten Tag nachverkostet: unverändert. Am dritten Tag nachverkostet: noch besser an als an den ersten beiden Tagen!"

SMITH MADRONE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015
0,75 l @ 55,00 Euro (73,33 €/l)
100 % Estate, Hanglangen am Spring Mountain; Red Aiken Soil; 14,3 % vol; ca. 45 Jahre alte Reben, keine Bewässerung; Cabernet Sauvignon mit etwas Cabernet Franc; 18 Monate in Französischer Eiche gereift (65% neu, 35% ein Jahr alt); 1192 Kisten produziert.

94 Punkte Tasting Panel Magazine, Meredith May (4/2020): „An exquisite bouquet of lavender, dried violets and jasmine arises in tandem with sweet black and red fruit. This is a silky and statuesque wine with a fruit-forward bent, but echoes of graphite and chocolate add complexity of character; its freshness and concentration of fruit is perceptible. The grapes were grown at 1,800 feet atop Spring Mountain (16% Cab Franc is blended in) and aged 18 months in 65% new French oak.“

93 Punkte International Wine Review, Don Winkler (1/2020): „Sourced from dry farmed vineyards high up (1800’) on Spring Mountain, this is a superb example of mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa.  It offers black currant, plum, and berry fruit complemented by dried herbs and mountain underbrush aromas and flavors. It’s highly aromatic, firmly structured, and a delight to drink as it evolves in the glass, revealing a complexity of flavors that matches the bouquet. It shows a youthful exuberance, so additional cellar time will only add to its drinking pleasure.”

- Im Spitzenfeld einer 2015er Napa Valley Cabernet Verkostung im DECANTER, Stephen Brook: " HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Creamy start to the palate, good freshness and very drinkable. Shows some leafy and tomato characters with a bit of dried fruit and sage. Long finish. Drinking Window 2022 – 2032"

- 94 Punkte TERROIRIST (1/2020): "I’m back this week with another round of new California releases, and this report has some goodies. Spring Mountain’s Smith-Madrone has long made incredible, age-worthy, unique wines, and their new Riesling and Cabernet deliver oodles of goodness for not much money…
Light purple color. Wow, the aromas pop with juicy yet crunchy red and black currants, plum skins, along with earthy, rocky tones, graphite, coffee and violets. Full but balanced so nicely on the palate. Solid tannic structure for aging, vibrant acidity, the mouthfeel sets the stage for smooth black cherries and tart red currants. Fruit is laced with violets, clove, graphite, tobacco, and there are lots of earthy, savory tones that need years to fully show themselves. Gorgeous concentration, yet balanced and lively. Includes 16% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in 65% new French oak. For my palate, this is one of the most insane bargains in Napa Cabernet. I’m so stoked this wine exists."

- Jos, verkostet im März 2020: "Kräftiges Rubinrot; kräftige Schlierenbildung; offenes, sauberes Nasenbild mit Aroment von schwarzen Kirschen, roten und schwarzen Beeren, etwas Lakritz, erdige Anklänge, Kräuter; strahlt schon im Duft die Wärme des Jahrangs 2015 aus; am Gaumen mit vielen Tannine von guter Qualität und gutem Biss, kräftige Säure, sehr vital mit toller Energie, sehr mundwässernd, rosa Grapefruit, sehr mineralisch, tiefgründig, vielschitig, legt mit Luft weiter zu, gibt weitere Schichten frei, viel Struktur, auch Röstaromen mischen sich dazu, Lakritze, wird auch etwas cremiger, sehr langer Abgang. Glasempfehlung: Zalto-Bordeaux-Glas; unbedingt ausgiebig dekantieren; unbedingt auf die Temperatur achten, eher ein zwei Grad kühler servieren.
Am nächsten Tag nachverkostet: Er hat sich weiter entwickelt, ist offener, noch komplexer, die Tannine etwas geschmolzen, die Säure bleibt und hält den Wein gemeinsam mit der Mineralität frisch und sehr lebendig, sehr mundwässernd, sehr lang, attraktiver Rückgeschmack. Ich bin mir sicher, dieser Wein wird 30-40 Jahre halten!"

SMITH MADRONE ESTATE COOK'S FLAT RESERVE 2013
0,75 l @ 225,00 Euro (73,33 €/l)
Der Top Wein des Gutes, geschaffen durch die sorgfältige Selektion und das Blending der besten Fässer, die der Jahrgang zu bieten hat. 100 % Estate, Hanglangen am Spring Mountain; Red Aiken Soil; ca. 45 Jahre alte Reben, keine Bewässerung; 46% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot; 19 Monate in 100 neuer französischer Eiche gereift, beste Fässer aus den Wäldern von Troncais, Nevers und Allier; danach noch 2,5 Jahre in der Flasche gereift; 14,3 % vol; 2450 nummerierte Flaschen produziert.

- Blog The Syrah Queen, Rupal Shankar, am 28. August 2019: „The Cook’s Flat Reserve is one of my all-time favorite Napa Valley wine. I have had the honor to taste the 2012 and the 2013. Charlie very generously opened a bottle of 2013 for me, and I had the opportunity to try the 2012 last year with a group of fellow wine writers. The Cook’s Flat Reserve is a wine that will appeal to all Bordeaux lovers. The 2013 that Charlie poured in my glass, is a blend of 46% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot. It is an exceptional wine with rich red fruit and spice. There are hints of blackberry, currants, black pepper, dark chocolate, nutmeg, leather, and tobacco. The wine is powerful with silky tannins. Its precise balance is reminiscent of an old-world style wine. My time with Charlie at Smith-Madrone Vineyards was very humbling and grounding; he epitomized what all winemaking should be like. The wines are world-class in every way – real, authentic and beautiful. The vineyards atop Spring Mountain are magical, an untouched part of Napa Valley. A bit off the beaten path, Smith-Madrone is definitely a winery that needs to be explored by all Napa Valley wine lovers.“

TalkAVino, Anatoly Levine, (12/2019): „This might be how you spell “PHENOMENAL”. This wine was a pure pleasure. Pure, hedonistic, unadulterated pleasure. This is the wine at the level of magic – you take a sip, you whisper “wow”, you quietly reflect on what is happening, immersing into the moment. Then you take another sip and repeat. YES, MAGIC.“

Advinetures, Allison & Chris Wallace (5/2020): „Cook’s Flat is what the locals used to call the 8 acre plot planted in 1972 and used to grow the grapes for this red blend. This vintage the cuvée was 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, with roughly equal parts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Many Napa proprietary blends or luxury cuvées are distinguished by their power. The Smiths, always marching to the beat of their own drum, have focused on elegance in this wine. More toward the black fruit end of the spectrum than their regular Cabernet, this wine showed great intensity without any heaviness. The tannins are medium+, but they are ripe and polished. A rich mouthfeel makes it a pleasure to drink now but Stu assured us this has a long future in the cellar. With such precise balance, we have no reason to doubt him.“

Ab einer Bestellung von 6 Flaschen erhalten Sie 5 % Rabatt,
ab 12 Flaschen 10 % Rabatt und
ab 18 Flaschen 15 % Rabatt auf die angegebenen Preise,
gerne auch alle Weine unserer kalifornischen Eigenimporte sortiert,
das sind die Weine von Varner und Foxglove, Dancing Crow, Di Costanzo,
Maison Areion, Sutro, Kesner, Smith Madrone, Yannick Rousseau und John Arns !

Ab einer Bestellung von 3 Flaschen, gerne auch alle Weine von SMITH MADRONE sortiert, erfolgt die Lieferung innerhalb von Deutschland frei Haus, ab 6 Flaschen auch nach Österreich. Sollten bei Online-Bestellungen Versandkosten angezeigt werden, entfernen wir später die Versandkosten bei der Auftragsbearbeitung manuell. 
Die Preise sind inklusive 19 % Mwst angegeben. Das Angebot ist gültig so lange die Mengen reichen bzw. bis zum 20. 4. 2020.

Über Ihr Interesse würden wir uns sehr freuen.

Herzliche Grüße, angenehme Ostern und bleiben Sie gesund!

Josef Schreiblehner & Team
PS: Bitte beachten Sie auch unsere Angebote Wein der Woche , Champagner der Woche und Weingut des Monats – dieses Mal sind es die Weine von VARNER und FOXGLOVE (minus 15 % ab der ersten Flasche).

Maison Areion	Varner	Dancing Crow
Sutro	Kesner	Smith Madrone
Di Costanzo	Arns	Y. Rousseau
Foxglove	Paradigm	St. Supery

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