WINE REVIEW: Smith-Madrone 2017 Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA ($40)

by Andrew Chalk

Consistency might be the watchword at Smith-Madrone, a winery that perennially turns out good quality wines at non-stratospheric prices.This chardonnay will win over most schools of chardonnay lover. While in an indubitably New World style it doesn’t mask the intrinsic qualities of this remarkable grape, resulting in satisfaction on several levels.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Deep gold;

Nose: Intense tropical fruit (mango, pineapple). Lemon, ripe apricot, vanilla;

Palate: As well as confirming the fruit in the nose this wine has a pronounced phenolic backbone. This translates into a lasting, satisfying finish.

Sample