Smith-Madrone Estate Cabernet Franc Spring Mountain 2021

Smith-Madrone Vineyard & Winery is a highly respected, family-run estate perched atop Spring Mountain in Napa Valley, known for crafting impeccable mountain wines with a strong sense of place. Founded in 1971 by Stuart (Stu) Smith, the estate pioneered dry-farming on steep, rocky slopes — a philosophy that remains central to its viticultural identity. Stu’s brother Charles joined the venture early on, and together they nurtured a rugged mountainside property into a distinctive mountain winery with a focus on Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and, later, Cabernet Franc. Today their approach — combining low yields, elevation-driven terroir and hand-crafted winemaking — yields wines that are expressive, balanced, and deeply connected to their vineyards.

The Smith-Madrone estate vineyard encompasses roughly 200 hillside acres with steep slopes, planted at elevations between about 1,300 and 2,000 feet above Napa Valley floor. The soils here are a mix of red clay loam, sandstone and shale, creating excellent drainage and stress that concentrates fruit character, while the mountain breezes and cooler temperatures bring vibrant acidity and structural elegance to the wines. All of Smith-Madrone’s wines are estate-grown and estate-bottled, with the full range — including Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot — coming exclusively from these rugged Spring Mountain vineyards. Production remains small, typically around a few thousand cases annually, reinforcing both quality and artisanal focus.

The 2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Franc represents a noteworthy chapter in the estate’s history as its first standalone bottling of this variety, grown in the same vineyards that have produced the estate’s celebrated wines for decades. Comprised of about 89% Cabernet Franc and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine spent around 18 months in 60% new French oak, resulting in a medium-weight yet complex expression with finely integrated structure. It opens with intriguing aromas of cassis, black cherry, leather, violets and white pepper, followed by a palate that balances creamy texture with firm tannins and bright fruit energy. With just 153 cases produced, this 2021 release has earned accolades — including medals at competition — and shows both immediate appeal and long-term potential when cellared.