Campbell Mattinson | The WineFront : Oh yes, this is a treat. It’s just so beautifully fruited, so sweet and ripe, and yet so floral and savoury about the edges. It seduces and it intrigues. Lavender, raspberry, hay, crushed dry spice, mint and gunsmoke. It’s light on its feet, but insistent with it. Tannin is ultra fine too. It’s a gorgeous drink, full stop. Tasted January 25, 94 Points
Marcus Ellis | Wine Companion: This came off the Smart vineyard in Clarendon. That revered site. About 25% whole bunch, 11 months in older French oak. This quite a different expression to many of the Smart bottlings, leaning a little more into ripeness. That’s neither here nor there, just fascinating to see different lenses on an iconic vineyard. Black and red cherry, macerated strawberries, smashed raspberries, warm baking spices and dried herbs, The palate is supple, silky through the middle, a cohort of ultrafine tannins and keen (natural) acidity tidying up the finish. As said, it’s a slightly more generous – balanced – expression of Smart, and it’s super charming with it. 95 points Published May 2025