Smith-Madrone Spring Mountain Chardonnay 2019

Smith-Madrone are one of the last true vanguards of 'Old Napa.' Founded in 1978 and run to this day by brothers Stu and Charles Smith, their estate high up on Spring Mountain is a callback to the days of California wine before the arrival of tech billionaires. Long-term champions of sustainable agriculture, the duo continue to produce wine in much the same way they always have. Their Chardonnay is a simply breathtaking white wine, far removed from the 'buttery' stereotype and alive with citrus fruit flavours and electrifying acidity. Expect bright notes of orange blossoms, white peach, and lemon curd alongside a distinct minerality and touches of toasted nut. Wonderful on its own, this Chardonnay has more than enough body to make it a suitable pairing companion with any manner of cuisine. 

95/100 - The Smith-Madrone Chardonnay over-delivers again with the 2019 bottling. Rich, showy aromas of honeyed pear, candied ginger and a rich lemon cream eschew oak for purity of fruit. The palate is mouthwatering in its depth of flavour and flashes complexity and refinement. Rich lemon curd, beeswax and lanolin are accented against notes of nutmeg, cardamom pod and petrichor. It is gorgeous in its depth yet with ample elegance and finesse. A joyous wine that promises to develop further complexity with bottle age. This is one of the finest Napa wines in existence for [its price]. - Clive Pursehouse, Decanter

94/100 - The 2019 Chardonnay is a wild, exotic wine. Apricot, truffle, white flowers, tangerine peel, hazelnut, acacia and lightly honeyed notes lend notable complexity. What a treat it is to taste a fine, aged Chardonnay with this much complexity. Readers should expect a savory, phenolic Chardonnay that is more about structure rather than forward fruit. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous