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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 94.4 pts. and median of 94 pts. in 172 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by RockinCabs on 11/15/2023 & rated 90 points: I was looking forward to this the most of the younger vintages on hand, and it just missed the mark for me. Especially given the reputation. A wall of black fruit, hard tannin and a squid ink, and brine-like VA note marred the wine for me a bit. Lacking in elegance and the terroir of the property tonight. (1075 views) | | | Tasted by mxpbuy on 10/14/2023 & rated 94 points: Slow ox for 3.5 hours. Blackberries, black cherries, vanilla Oak, touch of eucalyptus, a little tar and dusty but very smooth and long tannins. No fading of color. Very little sediment. This bottle had another handful of peak drinking years to it. (924 views) | | | Tasted by Alexander Smith on 10/5/2023 & rated 97 points: Brief tasting note
Aged Napa Cabernets don't get better than this, I would score higher but just did not have enough time to really evaluate, but this was in a perfect spot, kept well and this will stand up to any Bordeaux blend in the world, the dark fruit is fading and being replaced with wonderful forest needles, cigar box, savoury herbs dusty tannins , the palate is fine, elegant and precise with persistence and grace , I called the tannins dusty but I feel silky would be more appropriate, a graceful finish. 97+Still has a few years in front of it, but it is drinking so well now. (1240 views) | | | Tasted by d'Artagnan on 10/4/2023 & rated 98 points: Dégustation Spottswoode avec Beth Weber Novak: Ouvert à midi, épaulé. Carafé 5 minutes pour enlever le dépôt à 17:00. Bu vers 20:00.
Nez joliment mentholé, délicat, complexe. La bouche est une petite merveille. Des tanins tendres, parfaitement fondus, j'ai rarement (voire jamais?) bu un vin de Napa aussi fin. C'est soyeux, savoureux, avec une finale précise, de belle longueur, de plus en plus complexe. Un vrai balai sur les papilles, d'une classe de très grand premier cru. Un grand vin américain authentique et si raffiné. 98 pts (1194 views) | | | Tasted by Hojun-na-Wine on 6/18/2022: Medium garnet with a brick core and watery rim.
Nose of dried cherry, dried currants, soft tobacco, green herbs, hint of vanilla and oak spice. With air sweet cherry notes emerge.
On the palate red cherry, red currant, intense chalk.
Medium alcohol, full body, medium+ acidity. Fine but grippy tannins. Despite the 20 years, the wine is still drinking young, and has the structure to go another 15-20 years. Incredible wine. (2567 views) | | | Tasted by sdwineguru on 2/22/2022 & rated 94 points: Classic Napa 2002 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Spottswoode Estate Vineyard. Similar to other notes. Mid-garnet, brick edges; viscous (14.1 alc.); red fruit, cassis, herbaceous, light mint, oak nose; medium acids; medium tannins; rounding out; good depth of Cabernet fruit; long, balanced, elegant finish. w/tri-tip. 18 UC Davis scale, 94 other scales. (2220 views) | | | Tasted by j@$0n p€++y on 11/6/2021 & rated 98 points: Out of mag. 1 hr decant. This was all green peppercorn in the first glass, in a good way. Opened up over the next hour to dark cherry, melted red licorice and Xmas spice. The best part of this wine was the seamlessness of texture. Ran like a fine river from start to finish. In a great spot now, with many more years of life left. Fabulous. (2540 views) | | | Tasted by Sonoma Duck on 7/17/2021 flawed bottle: My last bottle and unfortunately it was off. Good storage since release, perhaps it was just slightly corked. (2834 views) | | | Tasted by dkentaustin on 3/13/2021 & rated 92 points: Deep dark notes, some mocha, raspberry, eucalyptus, dark fruit preserves with a hint of cajeta. Drink up. Day 2 this wine seemed to come together even a bit more which was surprising, but welcomed. (3273 views) | | | Tasted by davidspieker on 2/15/2021 & rated 91 points: Delicious. Dark color and viscus in the glass. Aromas of dark fruit, earth, and mint. Rich dark fruit and coco flavors with some coffee. Concentrated flavors with nice balance and lengthy finish. (2455 views) | | | Tasted by mxpbuy on 12/5/2020 & rated 95 points: 60 minute decant. This wine is turning into one of my favorite Cali Cabs. Loads of very ripe blackberry, black cherry and some boysenberry with hints of Eucalyptus and sweet Oak. Alcohol is completely in check and the finish lingers with this very smooth, near velvety wine. (2440 views) | | | Tasted by Jeffrey Silver on 9/21/2020 & rated 99 points: Outstanding wine. It’s now firing on all cylinders. I opened one 5yrs ago and it was still tight. Now after time and 90min decanting I feel like opening them all up. It’s interesting that RP called Spottswoode the Chateau Margaux of Napa. I would say this bang on. It’s so Bordeaux like and it’s all I love. (2686 views) | | | Tasted by dkentaustin on 9/7/2020 & rated 97 points: Flint, stone, graphite and raspberry on the nose. The flavors carrying through to the palate. Crushed stone, vanilla, blackberry, subtle Asian spice with some nutty hints. No visible signs of ages and the tannins are silky smooth. Drinking incredibly well and one of the more amazing wines we’ve had in a while. If they ever classify CA wines as first growths, this winery should be a viable candidate. Having with Pittsburgh style NY strip, cauliflower purée and butter lettuce salad. Heaven. (2024 views) | | | Tasted by sdwineguru on 9/6/2020 & rated 94 points: Spottswoode 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid-dark garnet; complex herbaceous, cassis, blackberry, oak, mint nose; balanced; softening tannins; good Cabernet fruit; long rich finish, hints of wood. w/grilled beef. 18 UC Davis scale, 94 other scales. (1723 views) | | | Tasted by MLR on 4/12/2020 & rated 94 points: Had our last 2002 tonight. Every bit as good as the Feb 2020 tasting notes. (2187 views) | | | Tasted by Cow Town on 3/25/2020 & rated 96 points: Another in a string of excellent bottles of this wine. Color had some every so slight bricking, but not much for an 18 year old wine. Nose had a meaty/nutty component to it, that mixed with dark fruits. Mouthfeel had some heft to it, but not syrupy - just more velvety with a coating in the mouth. Finish lasted a long time, and everything was in balance. I only have one left, but based on this bottle, it could last another 10 years. (2068 views) | | | Tasted by Snowryeder on 3/1/2020 & rated 97 points: What a surprise, stunning! Great nose of currants, blackberries, red berries, vanilla, forest floor. Reminds me of a fine well aged Margaux. (1957 views) | | | Tasted by MLR on 2/22/2020 & rated 93 points: Sweet red fruit lingers on the palate while the tannins are totally integrated. So I think this wine is in final stages and I’d recommend we begin to drink the inventory. Still wonderful. (1842 views) | | | Tasted by mxpbuy on 1/25/2020 & rated 95 points: Hour decant. Wonderful black cherry dominant but also blackberry, hints of red fruit, sweet Oak and touch of Eucalyptus in background. Very smooth. No sediment to speak of. (2102 views) | | | Tasted by tbabes on 11/27/2019 & rated 99 points: The fill was into the neck and the cork was pristine; opened about an hour before dinner and consumed over the the course of the evening. A very deep garnet core, with no signs of amber. A classic and stunning bouquet, offering up intoxicating scents of cassis, dried blackberries, roasted fennel, black truffle; hints of cigar box. Medium bodied, with a silky texture, amazing depth and an incredible sense of expansiveness; layers and layers of flavor! A long and savory finish. For me, this is intellectually stimulating and hedonistically pleasing; the very best of both worlds! (1912 views) | | | Tasted by peternelson on 12/13/2018 & rated 93 points: Earthy, dark leather, underbrush serious cab, still in its youth, structured, cigar tobacco, feeling quite youthful. Miro Dirty Dozen (3378 views) | | | Tasted by Night Train on 12/8/2018 & rated 94 points: WOTN at a party with 20 or 30 other, mostly good wines. PnP. Pleasant at first, but terrific an hour later. Someday I'll learn that these wines need A LOT of time, because this one seems to just now be hitting its stride. Great nose - mostly currants. Currants on the palate, along with hints of forest floor and various herbs. Medium body, but quite rich with a killer finish. Yowza! (2615 views) | | | Tasted by DougLee on 11/11/2018 & rated 93 points: Popped and poured. Darker garnet. Quiet nose at first which later opened up to reveal scents of red and dark currant, bits of cedar, dense plum pit, earth, and lilac. Powerful but very elegantly presented black currant fruit cut with earth and schist on the palate. Moderate acidity and firm tannin leading to a long finish of dense plum fruit and sweet grip. Excellent balance and integration of elements even at this stage. Very early in its evolution but destined for great things. (2700 views) | | | Tasted by AlexHop on 9/22/2018 & rated 97 points: Complex and opulent. Wine highlight of a special night. (2856 views) | | | Tasted by Old Vino on 9/10/2018 & rated 94 points: Excellent NAPA wine. I didn’t expect tertiary notes from a 16 year old California wine. But this is trying to be Margaux–like. No bite or heat. Well integrated. Tenants totally resolved. Unable to assess longevity. Ready to drink now. (2777 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Michael Godel
WineAlign (12/25/2023)
(Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery (5/12/2021)
(Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Vertical Tasting of Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon (Jun 2016) (6/1/2016)
(Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By William Kelley
Decanter, Spottswoode Vertical (11/1/2015)
(Spottswoode, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, St Helena, California, USA, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/20/2006)
(Spottswoode, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2004, IWC Issue #114
(Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2003, IWC Issue #108
(Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of WineAlign and JebDunnuck.com and Vinous and Decanter and JancisRobinson.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Spottswoode Producer websiteCabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonEstateIn the United States, "Wines with “estate bottled” designations must: a) also designate an appellation of origin or an AVA, and both the vineyards and the winery must be located there; b) the grapes must come from vineyards owned or controlled by the winery; and c) the wine must have been produced, from crush to bottle, in a continuous process without leaving the winery’s premises."
- WINE LABEL FAQS: A QUICK SUMMARY OF LABEL DESIGNATION RULES" by David E. StollUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Napa ValleySt. Helena |
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