From the Spring Mountain stalwart in Napa comes the latest vintage of a dependable red, the
2018 Smith Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District ($62). Shimmering ox blood color and moving cleanly around the glass, the nose is seductive and inviting, offering generous cigar box and soaring red fruit spices. The experience across the palate arcs from the youthful vigor frontal attack, through an energetic mid palate showing green vegetables alongside dark blue fruit, and into a tension-gripped finish that suggests revisiting after adequate decantation. A little air goes a long way towards coaxing this infant of a wine out of its tightness. The still-coiled fruit and tannins begin to evolve as the demeanor offers a cardigan-like comfort cloaking the muscular structure. This wine has years, decades probably, ahead of it. But, just as in previous years, there's plenty to enjoy right now. Santa, are you listening? 91 Points (Sample)
