Community Tasting Note

• Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 99 points

  August 31, 2018 - Wow, this is such a great wine, even at this early stage. If you could take the best of Bordeaux and meld it with the best of Napa, this would be the outcome. Showing great notes of blueberries, mint, tobacco, fresh cut flowers and earthy notions on the nose. On the pallet this is nearly perfect, deftly balancing a ton of gorgeous fruit with exceptional acid and tannin management. The fruit is there, very present, really lovely, but it's restrained and structured to last a long time. Absolutely tremendous purity, terrific layers and epic persistence. This is so fresh, gorgeous and long. Just fantastic. 99+

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13 Comments

• JEP007 commented:

  8/31/18, 6:34 PM - I can't wait to try this. Love SW. The true Margaux of Napa.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  8/31/18, 6:49 PM - Maybe the best ever. This is an epic vintage for them. You can even drink one young and not waste it.

• JLuch1 commented:

  9/1/18, 12:34 PM - Thanks for your notes. I was at the winery last spring and tasted the 2014 lineup which did not leave me nearly as impressed as your notes on the 2015. I will try and grab some of these when hit my wine retailer this fall.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  9/1/18, 3:32 PM - I haven’t opened a 2014, but I wouldn’t expect it to be as good as the 2015. It seems like they really hit the sweet spot in this vintage. Best I’ve had since 2010. Much more opulence in 2015.

• JLuch1 commented:

  9/1/18, 3:46 PM - Yea, I have noticed it has also scored well with the critics with 100 from Parker's Mag and 99 from Jeb, wondering if my local retailer is going to add additional mark up. Typically the prices are fair because he has a direct relationship with them, but you never know. Overall, the Valley in 2015 has been knocking it out of the park so far.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  4/24/21, 2:05 PM - Hey Cristal2000, been reading your spottswoode reviews of the last couple vintages and noticed you live near me. I’m over in West Hills. Curious what wine shop you typically buy from and where you normally get your spottswoode?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  4/25/21, 2:12 PM - Hi BB707: For the last couple vintages, I bought from the list. However, I avoided this latest release because they pulled the "you need to buy 17 if you want 18" thing and the 18 will surely show up at list price all over. Previously, I had bought some at a local wine store called Armand's Cellar. I've also purchased a few older vintages through KL auction. Cheers!

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  4/25/21, 2:56 PM - I agree that was weak making someone buy 17s to get the 18s. I talked with them and told them I already had 17s and didn’t want anymore and they were cool waiving that requirement. I’m not buying through them anymore as you can find it at retail sometimes less than the release price. I just recently checked out the KL auction. Have you had any negative experiences in faulty bottles or everything on the up and up?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  4/25/21, 3:11 PM - Glad to hear they waived it, but I agree, especially now at $230/bottle it'll likely be cheaper in the aftermarket.
  
  I've been mostly fortunate with KL auctions. Only once can I remember a bad bottle. That said, it's not like they do much provenance investigation. They pretty much take you at your word. But also, unless you're buying a current release wine at many of these retailers, they are also buying them from people and reselling, so you take your chances either way.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  11/8/21, 4:02 PM - Cristal, did you pick up any secondary market 18s? Curious how much you picked them up for

• Cristal2000 commented:

  11/8/21, 4:25 PM - I haven't purchased any yet. I see they are available for release price (without the 17 attached), but invariably I get offers for less in most years. Now prices of everything are going up, so we shall see.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  11/8/21, 4:36 PM - I was able to pick up a 3 pack at $195/per. Thought it was a good price, especially with no 17 attached.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  11/8/21, 4:39 PM - That's a great price. Awesome work!

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