Served next to Cos d'estournel 09, was keen to see if the lines between Bordeaux and Napa would be blurred by the modern Cos and this, which by reports is one of the less modern styled producers of Napa Cab.
This was, however, comically sweet. The nose was exactly like smelling cola candy.
The palate was also extremely sweet, candied red berries and more cola.
Perhaps if served on its own, this would be a nice drink, but in the company of classic Bordeaux, this completely imploded. I am not sure if the age was an issue, the tannins were integrated, and the wine itself bore no mark of deficiencies, the lone problem was the level of sweetness.
No idea what score would be right, it's drinkable, just not something I want to drink.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very enjoyable but too young at this point. Beautiful fruit and very tight at this point. consumed over 3 days. Best on day 3. More acidic and oaky than I expected.
7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big dark inky wine. Took to a restaurant and had the waiter open it right away. Left open for about 45 mins. First glass was tight as expected, but slowly started to get some air in there. Spottswoode wines are always approachable. very silky. This has been in the bottle for 5 years,and of course it will get better. I’ll want to hold my last bottle till 2025-26. Cheers
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very classic and strong Cabernet. Loads of berries, esp black currant, slight note of wood and minerals at the end. Very enjoyable, but probably even better in a few years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I don’t see the 100 pt potential here, but it is definitely good. Dark red fruit, silky smooth, baking spices, french oak, needs several hours in a decanter to come around, the tannins aren’t abrasive, but omnipresent. It needs five years and hopefully it will get closer to the lofty ratings.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
4/19/22 Vinum55 Phoenix BYOB Tasting (Vinum55 Phoenix): This is an amazing expression of the stereotypical Napa cab style. Ripe and plump red and dark fruits, black and red cherry, plum, cassis, currants, all the while not being over-oaked but showing cedar, chocolate, and vanilla. This has a great full body structure and smooth mouthfeel. Med acid, med tannins, long finish, this is up my alley in terms of balance. I enjoyed this more than I expected and I think it does Napa cabs justice despite not having a truly unique voice. This can age for sure, but it is already great to drink right now. 93pt
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Given to us by kind neighbors. The husband and I shared the wine. To me it tasted better after I had Camembert on a Triscuit. Our neighbor likes it better than I do. Ruby-red. Might well improve with age. CT high Excellent now. I gave it 92+ points.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
100% organically farmed estate fruit. Decanted 2 hours. Deep healthy purple. Nose of blackberry, cassis, lavender, subtle cocoa and smoke. Palate adds cooling mint on the finish. Tannins are powdery and slightly drying, as can be expected in this young age. Good acidity and very long. 13.8% ABV according to the label. This is not the sweet-fruited oaky Napa stereotype, but there is certainly no lack of concentration. This wine will live for decades and is nowhere near its peak, though still approachable alongside food. Spectacular wine from one of the finest producers in the Valley.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at a Vine Vault tasting in Austin.......stuck between a 93 and 94 for me. Well made.....earthy, tobacco nose, perfumed fruit that is light years deeper than the '17. Mostly black fruited. I suspect this will do very well aging over the next 20 years and should score even higher.
One hour slow ox. Blackberry / blueberry jelly, chocolate, and cigar tobacco on the nose. Very smooth and very dry palate. Firm, lower intensity tannins on the longish finish.
This has good potential. It’s very young. Two years should bring it in to it’s good drinking window.
decanted for 3 hours, drank versus 2014 Spottswoode Estate and 1999 Spottswoode Estate. I really wanted to try this one. If you have a choice, please wait several years. Still very closed at not at potential yet. Take my word for it and save yours! I will wait at least 5 years to open the next one.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This high-toned and earthy Cabernet needs another few years before it should be opened. I've been surprised by how many 2018s are accessible in the early going, but this is not one of them. More subdued than the 2017, the 2018 is “classic” Napa down the middle, with pleasant fruit, medium body, and dusty tannins, and it just needs more time to blossom.
Light red in color and medium in body, the wine offers aromas of blackberry, pencil lead, gravel, and eucalyptus. Flavors of mountain blueberry, black cherry, bay leaf, and peppercorn, with a sour and dusty finish with plenty of tannin. Blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cab Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. 13.8% alcohol. Decant at least three hours if drinking now, as the wine gains steam with air. I think this is heading places, but it’s not in a rush to get there. 93+ based on how it’s tasting right now, with upside in 2023 or later.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Got to taste this wine next to the 2017 vintage and it was wonderful! The estate trade tasting was with the Assistant Wine Maker Mollie. She was super knowledgeable and the wine she shared was nothing less spectacular. I have lots of baby fat in the 2018 vintage but this style is the best I form I enjoy in a CS from Napa. This vintage, compared to 2017, had more blue and black fruit with superb integration with oak. The oak was not overdone. The alcohol levels were balanced and I think this wine will age beautifully. Grab a case!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/1/2024 - Hugo Hilde Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Bordeaux + Napa pirates (Tøyen, Oslo): Slow oxed 7 hours
Served next to Cos d'estournel 09, was keen to see if the lines between Bordeaux and Napa would be blurred by the modern Cos and this, which by reports is one of the less modern styled producers of Napa Cab.
This was, however, comically sweet. The nose was exactly like smelling cola candy.
The palate was also extremely sweet, candied red berries and more cola.
Perhaps if served on its own, this would be a nice drink, but in the company of classic Bordeaux, this completely imploded. I am not sure if the age was an issue, the tannins were integrated, and the wine itself bore no mark of deficiencies, the lone problem was the level of sweetness.
No idea what score would be right, it's drinkable, just not something I want to drink.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2023 - ptelgenh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very enjoyable but too young at this point. Beautiful fruit and very tight at this point. consumed over 3 days. Best on day 3. More acidic and oaky than I expected.
7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/8/2023 - Cuellar's Cellar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big dark inky wine. Took to a restaurant and had the waiter open it right away. Left open for about 45 mins. First glass was tight as expected, but slowly started to get some air in there. Spottswoode wines are always approachable. very silky. This has been in the bottle for 5 years,and of course it will get better. I’ll want to hold my last bottle till 2025-26. Cheers
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2022 - JohannesGlugla Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very classic and strong Cabernet. Loads of berries, esp black currant, slight note of wood and minerals at the end. Very enjoyable, but probably even better in a few years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2022 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
I don’t see the 100 pt potential here, but it is definitely good. Dark red fruit, silky smooth, baking spices, french oak, needs several hours in a decanter to come around, the tannins aren’t abrasive, but omnipresent. It needs five years and hopefully it will get closer to the lofty ratings.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/19/2022 - Michael Hung Likes this wine: 93 Points
4/19/22 Vinum55 Phoenix BYOB Tasting (Vinum55 Phoenix): This is an amazing expression of the stereotypical Napa cab style. Ripe and plump red and dark fruits, black and red cherry, plum, cassis, currants, all the while not being over-oaked but showing cedar, chocolate, and vanilla. This has a great full body structure and smooth mouthfeel. Med acid, med tannins, long finish, this is up my alley in terms of balance. I enjoyed this more than I expected and I think it does Napa cabs justice despite not having a truly unique voice. This can age for sure, but it is already great to drink right now. 93pt
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2022 - rthpal Likes this wine: 92 Points
Given to us by kind neighbors. The husband and I shared the wine. To me it tasted better after I had Camembert on a Triscuit. Our neighbor likes it better than I do. Ruby-red. Might well improve with age. CT high Excellent now. I gave it 92+ points.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2022 - streethawk wrote:
100% organically farmed estate fruit. Decanted 2 hours. Deep healthy purple. Nose of blackberry, cassis, lavender, subtle cocoa and smoke. Palate adds cooling mint on the finish. Tannins are powdery and slightly drying, as can be expected in this young age. Good acidity and very long. 13.8% ABV according to the label. This is not the sweet-fruited oaky Napa stereotype, but there is certainly no lack of concentration. This wine will live for decades and is nowhere near its peak, though still approachable alongside food. Spectacular wine from one of the finest producers in the Valley.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2021 - Djplanchet Likes this wine: 98 Points
Medium Ruby, refined and elegant. Like others have said I will sit on my other bottles for a few years to try this beauty again!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2021 - JJB007 Likes this wine: 96 Points
licorice, floral, charcoal, smoky, salt, plum, bitter bite which becomes tart after two hours- the wine maker calls this bergamot, daffodil
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2021 - Philip67 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice richness and weight, sweet bramble fruit. Medium structure. Moderate finish and straightforward. Young, give it 10 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/14/2021 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted at a Vine Vault tasting in Austin.......stuck between a 93 and 94 for me. Well made.....earthy, tobacco nose, perfumed fruit that is light years deeper than the '17. Mostly black fruited. I suspect this will do very well aging over the next 20 years and should score even higher.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (6)
8/13/2021 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 93 Points
One hour slow ox. Blackberry / blueberry jelly, chocolate, and cigar tobacco on the nose. Very smooth and very dry palate. Firm, lower intensity tannins on the longish finish.
This has good potential. It’s very young. Two years should bring it in to it’s good drinking window.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/5/2021 - Barakahn Likes this wine: 100 Points
decanted for 3 hours, drank versus 2014 Spottswoode Estate and 1999 Spottswoode Estate. I really wanted to try this one. If you have a choice, please wait several years. Still very closed at not at potential yet. Take my word for it and save yours! I will wait at least 5 years to open the next one.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2021 - msuwine wrote: 93 Points
This high-toned and earthy Cabernet needs another few years before it should be opened. I've been surprised by how many 2018s are accessible in the early going, but this is not one of them. More subdued than the 2017, the 2018 is “classic” Napa down the middle, with pleasant fruit, medium body, and dusty tannins, and it just needs more time to blossom.
Light red in color and medium in body, the wine offers aromas of blackberry, pencil lead, gravel, and eucalyptus. Flavors of mountain blueberry, black cherry, bay leaf, and peppercorn, with a sour and dusty finish with plenty of tannin. Blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cab Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. 13.8% alcohol. Decant at least three hours if drinking now, as the wine gains steam with air. I think this is heading places, but it’s not in a rush to get there. 93+ based on how it’s tasting right now, with upside in 2023 or later.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2021 - MountainwineFTW wrote: 98 Points
Got to taste this wine next to the 2017 vintage and it was wonderful! The estate trade tasting was with the Assistant Wine Maker Mollie. She was super knowledgeable and the wine she shared was nothing less spectacular. I have lots of baby fat in the 2018 vintage but this style is the best I form I enjoy in a CS from Napa. This vintage, compared to 2017, had more blue and black fruit with superb integration with oak. The oak was not overdone. The alcohol levels were balanced and I think this wine will age beautifully. Grab a case!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment