Smith Story
These are the best wines I have tasted from Alison Smith and Eric Story and their consulting winemakers Katy Wilson and Ross Cobb. All of the wines are vibrant and beautifully delineated, not to mention full of personality.
From Sonoma’s Stellar 2016s (Apr 2018) by Antonio Galloni
2016 Lakota’s View, Sémillon, Sonoma Mountain. $40, 90pts.
Smith Story’s 2016 Sémillon Lakota’s View is powerful and also quite distinctive, with a good deal of phenolic intensity that gives the wine its distinctive feel. Tangerine, almond, mint and lightly honeyed notes all open up in the glass, but it is the wine’s hillside character and structure that stand out most.
2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County. $25, 93pts.
The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc is fabulous. Rich, layered and also quite structured, the Sauvignon Blanc exudes character. There is so much to like in the 2016. Above all else, Smith Story’s Sauvignon Blanc is full of personality. Varietal notes are nicely delineated, but not at all overpowering. Stony and floral notes add brightness throughout.
2015 Chardonnay, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley. $48, 92pts.
The 2015 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is a powerful, deep wine, and yet picking on the early side keeps the flavors bright. This is a fairly restrained style for Dutton Ranch that balances a good bit of texture while avoiding heaviness. Chamomile, citrus peel and pear notes add complexity.
2015 Pinot Noir, Nash Mill Vineyard, Anderson Valley. $58, 93pts.
The 2015 Pinot Noir Nash Mill Vineyard is fruity, forward and quite delicious, even if it doesn’t have the detail or pedigree of the Thorn Ridge. Bright, red-toned fruit and floral aromatics help shape the wine’s lively personality. What a pretty and expressive wine this is.
2015 Pinot Noir, Thorn Ridge Vineyard, Sonoma Coast. $80, 94pts.
The 2015 Pinot Noir Thorn Ridge is gorgeous. Translucent and perfumed, with silky tannins, strikingly fruit and exceptional balance, the Thorn Ridge hits all the right notes. Hints of rose petal, mint, cranberry and white pepper add brightness. This gracious, wonderfully lifted Pinot is long on class and personality. I loved it.
2015 Cabernet Franc, Sonoma Valley. $40, 90pts.
The 2015 Cabernet Franc is done in a fresh, Loire-inspired style that captures notable fruit intensity, but manages to avoid excessive vegetal or green notes. The red-toned berry fruit and lifted, floral notes pulse with energy. There is so much to like here.
2015 Merlot, Pickberry Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain. $54, 93pts.
Deceptively medium in body, the 2015 Merlot Pickberry Vineyard packs a real punch. Succulent dark cherry, tobacco, sage, menthol and lavender notes give the Merlot a very pretty savory profile to match the wine’s translucent expression of fruit. Pliant and supple, the 2015 also has a good bit of supporting structure as well. It is another classy, polished wine from Alison Smith and Eric Story.
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Pickberry Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain. $60, 95pts.
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Pickberry Vineyard is a total knock-out. Gracious and light on its feet, with tremendous character, the Pickberry will thrill readers who enjoy old-school California Cabernets. Bright acids and mountain structure from this hillside site on Sonoma Mountain give the wine a palpable sense of energy and savoriness to play off the dark-toned fruit. Scents of lavender, sage, tobacco and menthol linger on the super-expressive finish. What a marvelous wine this is.