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Spottswoode tasting
Widder (Meilen ZH)
Tasted December 8, 2022 by sirpat00 with 130 views
Introduction
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 8 vintages Spottswoode, 4 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest.
Brief history and snippets from Beth:
The estate was established in 1882 and has been owned by the current proprietor family since 1972. The old vineyard of post-prohibition vines was originally owned by the Lyndenhurst family and acquired by the Spotts family in 1910. At the time of purchase by Novak-Milliken, all grapes sold and the family started a comprehensive replanting. They were selling grapes to the likes of Mondavi and Stags Leap at the beginning and later also to Shafer. The latter encouraged them to make their own wine they finally produced their first vintage 1982. They wanted to make a wine that expresses time and place and back in those days looked to Bordeaux for inspiration. The property comprises around 20ha (45 acres) and they export only ~15% of the production. The estates has been organic since 1995 and has now fully converted to biodynamic.
The estate produced around 4,000 cases per year of the flagship Spottswoode. Until 2008, the estate wine consisted of only Cab Sauv (vast majority) and some Cab Franc with Petit Verdot only added in 2009 to the mix.
The Lyndenhurst is typically aged in 40% new oak and 60% used. The wine contains on average 50-60% declassified Spottswoode grapes with the rest bought in. Annual production is around 2,000 cases.
The Sauvignon Blanc vines were replanted due to phylloxera in the 90ies and nowadays the Sauv Blanc is mostly purchased fruit from Napa and Sonoma Mountain. Aging is done in small French oak barrels and some concrete with an annual production of around 4,000 cases per year.
List of wines, ranked by score:
2013 Spottswoode – 96
2020 Spottswoode – 95
2019 Spottswoode – 95
2014 Spottswoode – 95
2012 Spottswoode – 94
2016 Spottswoode – 94
2015 Spottswoode – 94
2003 Spottswoode – 94
2017 Spottswoode – 93
2008 Spottswoode – 92
2019 Lyndenhurst – 94
2018 Lyndenhurst – 92
2012 Lyndenhurst – 92
2016 Lyndenhurst – 91
2014 Lyndenhurst – 89
2017 Sauvignon Blanc – 92
2018 Sauvignon Blanc – 90
Flight 1 (2 notes)
White
2017 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc
92 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Intense goose berry fruit, mineral layer of steel, some smoke and herbaceous complexity. Great intensity and precision. Fresh and crisp acidity with a fine layer of herbal notes adds freshness. Beth noted that this was a very hot vintage and grapes were picked in August.
Tasting note:
Intense goose berry fruit, mineral layer of steel, some smoke and herbaceous complexity. Great intensity and precision. Fresh and crisp acidity with a fine layer of herbal notes adds freshness. Beth noted that this was a very hot vintage and grapes were picked in August.
White
2018 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc
90 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Less pronounced goose berry fruit but with some tangerine and lemongrass in the mix. According to Beth this was a “picture perfect” vintage. Indeed the palate was finely textured and relatively soft, but also lacked freshness. I preferred the 2017.
Tasting note:
Less pronounced goose berry fruit but with some tangerine and lemongrass in the mix. According to Beth this was a “picture perfect” vintage. Indeed the palate was finely textured and relatively soft, but also lacked freshness. I preferred the 2017.
Flight 2 (2 notes)
Red
2012 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst
92 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Good intensity here with early signs of aging notes of earth and tobacco, black currant and ripe cherry fruit, iodine type of minerality. Tannins were well integrated at this pin, but the palate nonetheless couldn‘t help feeling a bit overpowering and was also leaning too much on the acidity side of things – but does add a palatable fresh cranberry touch. Towards the finish tannins pop back up leaving you with sub-optimal balance. This is a nicely maturing wine fully in the drinking window.
Tasting note:
Good intensity here with early signs of aging notes of earth and tobacco, black currant and ripe cherry fruit, iodine type of minerality. Tannins were well integrated at this pin, but the palate nonetheless couldn‘t help feeling a bit overpowering and was also leaning too much on the acidity side of things – but does add a palatable fresh cranberry touch. Towards the finish tannins pop back up leaving you with sub-optimal balance. This is a nicely maturing wine fully in the drinking window.
Red
2014 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst
89 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Dark cherry which came across slightly over-extracted, fine sweet notes, dark leather and aromas showing Port-like features. This felt at the verge of tipping over. Came across more mature than the 2012 which itself was already quite mature for a 2012. The palate felt a bit rustic with chewy tannin. This did improve with aeration in the glass and was still enjoyable, but this likely does not have a big future ahead.
Tasting note:
Dark cherry which came across slightly over-extracted, fine sweet notes, dark leather and aromas showing Port-like features. This felt at the verge of tipping over. Came across more mature than the 2012 which itself was already quite mature for a 2012. The palate felt a bit rustic with chewy tannin. This did improve with aeration in the glass and was still enjoyable, but this likely does not have a big future ahead.
Flight 3 (2 notes)
Red
2016 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst
91 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Nice extracted ripe red and black currant, dark mineral notes, Christmas spices and vanillin. Despite the ripe and extracted fruit, the palate manages to sustain a freshness in the fruit. There was also decent tension and texture, but the mid-palate was absent.
Tasting note:
Nice extracted ripe red and black currant, dark mineral notes, Christmas spices and vanillin. Despite the ripe and extracted fruit, the palate manages to sustain a freshness in the fruit. There was also decent tension and texture, but the mid-palate was absent.
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Red
2018 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst
92 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Well-extracted dark cherry and black currant fruit, gingerbread and a defined mineral layer of graphite. The palate again struggled with mid-palate presence. The tannins had a lot of grip but were well built in.
Tasting note:
Well-extracted dark cherry and black currant fruit, gingerbread and a defined mineral layer of graphite. The palate again struggled with mid-palate presence. The tannins had a lot of grip but were well built in.
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Flight 4 (2 notes)
Red
2003 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
94 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
A ripe black currant and cassis fruit with notable aging notes of earth and dried leaves revealing the maturity, but still sufficiently primary to be fresh. There was also herbal complexity of eucalyptus and mint. Good intensity and decent amount of spice adds an interesting focal point. Similarly, the palate was mature but with freshness in the fruit, in good balance and softly textured. The aromatics are dense with substance. Beth pointed out that this vintage only included Cab and Franc and mentioned that this vintage was great going into bottle, but then went in a long slumber is just now slowing coming back. Indeed, this did not seem closed and felt fully alive and kicking.
Tasting note:
A ripe black currant and cassis fruit with notable aging notes of earth and dried leaves revealing the maturity, but still sufficiently primary to be fresh. There was also herbal complexity of eucalyptus and mint. Good intensity and decent amount of spice adds an interesting focal point. Similarly, the palate was mature but with freshness in the fruit, in good balance and softly textured. The aromatics are dense with substance. Beth pointed out that this vintage only included Cab and Franc and mentioned that this vintage was great going into bottle, but then went in a long slumber is just now slowing coming back. Indeed, this did not seem closed and felt fully alive and kicking.
Red
2008 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
92 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Good level of concentration but with a rather light and fresh red currant fruit. Christmas spices and fine herbal seasoning were additional features. The palate was pretty wild with grippy tannin and sub-optimal balance not ideal. While sexy and offering great allure, this lacked expression in the end and there were also instances when this appeared on the decline.
Tasting note:
Good level of concentration but with a rather light and fresh red currant fruit. Christmas spices and fine herbal seasoning were additional features. The palate was pretty wild with grippy tannin and sub-optimal balance not ideal. While sexy and offering great allure, this lacked expression in the end and there were also instances when this appeared on the decline.
Flight 5 (2 notes)
Red
2012 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
94 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
From Magnum. Very intense fruit of ripe red and black currant and classis bonbon. Marginally Port-like also, in fact. A few aging notes of leather. This came across as less sweet and more settled than other vintages. The palate was firmly structured with nice balance and a juicy fruit, but could have done with a splash more acidity. The finish had an ok-length but was somewhat uninspiring. Beth noted the blend was approximately 85% Cab, 10% Franc, 5% PV.
Tasting note:
From Magnum. Very intense fruit of ripe red and black currant and classis bonbon. Marginally Port-like also, in fact. A few aging notes of leather. This came across as less sweet and more settled than other vintages. The palate was firmly structured with nice balance and a juicy fruit, but could have done with a splash more acidity. The finish had an ok-length but was somewhat uninspiring. Beth noted the blend was approximately 85% Cab, 10% Franc, 5% PV.
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Red
2013 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
96 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
A stunner immediately. Electric, fully charged and ready to explode, but with rather low intensity initially (others felt this was closed). This is a beast still sleeping. Polished and well-defined dark cherry and blueberry fruit. Thick mineral foundation. Sprinkled with sweet spice, gingerbread and a fine layer of tobacco. The palate was fruity, boasted fresh acidity, a firm structure and great balance. For 2013 surprisingly tamed already while still clearly youthful and muscular. Beth said this was >85% Cab. 96 for now but definitely with upside potential. Would revisit in 3-5 years the earliest.
Tasting note:
A stunner immediately. Electric, fully charged and ready to explode, but with rather low intensity initially (others felt this was closed). This is a beast still sleeping. Polished and well-defined dark cherry and blueberry fruit. Thick mineral foundation. Sprinkled with sweet spice, gingerbread and a fine layer of tobacco. The palate was fruity, boasted fresh acidity, a firm structure and great balance. For 2013 surprisingly tamed already while still clearly youthful and muscular. Beth said this was >85% Cab. 96 for now but definitely with upside potential. Would revisit in 3-5 years the earliest.
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Flight 6 (2 notes)
Red
2014 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
95 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Dense with lots of depth. Full of baking spice, ginger bread, but also toppings of pepper and black chocolate chips. The fruit was red cherry, black currant and cassis. Dried leaves and mint add varied herbal complexity. The palate boasted great structural acidity and while clearly youthfully wild, still comes across harmonious. That said, can‘t quite carry the aromatic complexity through to the end and dries out towards the finish.
Tasting note:
Dense with lots of depth. Full of baking spice, ginger bread, but also toppings of pepper and black chocolate chips. The fruit was red cherry, black currant and cassis. Dried leaves and mint add varied herbal complexity. The palate boasted great structural acidity and while clearly youthfully wild, still comes across harmonious. That said, can‘t quite carry the aromatic complexity through to the end and dries out towards the finish.
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Comments (3)
Red
2015 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
94 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This was again sweet with plenty of Christmas spice and gingerbread, a brighter more red currant type of fruit. Harmonious even if not fully integrated palate with finely grained yet grippy tannin. It seems the overextraction pitfalls of the vintage were avoided as the palate manages to sustain freshness. But this nonetheless didn’t come across as elegant and weightless as other vintages. I have had this twice before in 2019 and 2020 and had much better experiences then. Wondering if this is going into a bad phase right now. May well be the case considering how closed the 2016 was.
Tasting note:
This was again sweet with plenty of Christmas spice and gingerbread, a brighter more red currant type of fruit. Harmonious even if not fully integrated palate with finely grained yet grippy tannin. It seems the overextraction pitfalls of the vintage were avoided as the palate manages to sustain freshness. But this nonetheless didn’t come across as elegant and weightless as other vintages. I have had this twice before in 2019 and 2020 and had much better experiences then. Wondering if this is going into a bad phase right now. May well be the case considering how closed the 2016 was.
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Flight 7 (2 notes)
Red
2016 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
94 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Very closed with low intensity. But diving in deep you’ll find a sexy and beguiling nose with sweet spices of vanilla, mineral layers of graphite, ripe and on balance more red berry type of fruit. The palate had a nicely soft texture, structural tannin and all in good balance. It felt like there was so much potential there - but I really, really struggled to identify much here. Have had a more open (and hence better) bottle about 1 year ago.
Tasting note:
Very closed with low intensity. But diving in deep you’ll find a sexy and beguiling nose with sweet spices of vanilla, mineral layers of graphite, ripe and on balance more red berry type of fruit. The palate had a nicely soft texture, structural tannin and all in good balance. It felt like there was so much potential there - but I really, really struggled to identify much here. Have had a more open (and hence better) bottle about 1 year ago.
1 person found this helpful
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Red
2017 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
93 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
From magnum. A darker fruit profile compared to the rest and notably less extracted. Not overly expressive, however. The palate was harmonious and well-balanced with a nice structure to it. Tension and acidity work well and help to integrate the tannins. Powerful finish. This did offer immediate hedonistic pleasure even if the complexity range is rather limited.
Tasting note:
From magnum. A darker fruit profile compared to the rest and notably less extracted. Not overly expressive, however. The palate was harmonious and well-balanced with a nice structure to it. Tension and acidity work well and help to integrate the tannins. Powerful finish. This did offer immediate hedonistic pleasure even if the complexity range is rather limited.
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Flight 8 (2 notes)
Red
2019 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst
94 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Red cherry, blueberry and red currant fruit with meaty notes, roasted coffee beans and a herbal touch, although it was hard to pin-point the defining features. The palate was young and wild, but with plenty of structural elements. Easily the best Lyndenhurst in the line-up and the only one that in my view was able to stand its ground against the flagship Spottswoode.
Tasting note:
Red cherry, blueberry and red currant fruit with meaty notes, roasted coffee beans and a herbal touch, although it was hard to pin-point the defining features. The palate was young and wild, but with plenty of structural elements. Easily the best Lyndenhurst in the line-up and the only one that in my view was able to stand its ground against the flagship Spottswoode.
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Red
2019 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
95 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This was interesting in that it was the only wine that lead with herbal aromas instead of fruit. The latter was rather classic with red and black currant. There were also whiffs of Christmas spices, tobacco and espresso. The palate was juicy, polished with both tension and power.
Tasting note:
This was interesting in that it was the only wine that lead with herbal aromas instead of fruit. The latter was rather classic with red and black currant. There were also whiffs of Christmas spices, tobacco and espresso. The palate was juicy, polished with both tension and power.
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Flight 9 (1 note)
Red
2020 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
95 points
Spottswoode tasting with proprietor Beth Novak-Milliken with 10 vintages Spottswoode, 5 vintages Lyndenhurst, 2 vintages Sauvignon Blanc. All bottles were opened at 15.00 and briefly decanted for the event which started at 19.00. Main observations were: i/ The flagship Spottswoode was typically light and elegant for a Napa Cab with 2013 being the wine-of-the-night (closely followed by 2014, 2019 and 2020, ii/ the Lyndenhurst tends to be rather extracted and lacking mid-palate presence, although the 2019 broke this rule and was towering over the rest. Brief history, snippets from Beth and complete list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Ripe red currant, cassis and even a aromas of rhubarb. Despite its youth, also leather and herbal dimensions. Super fresh palate, in great balance with all building blocks already put in place. This id definitely one to watch.
Tasting note:
Ripe red currant, cassis and even a aromas of rhubarb. Despite its youth, also leather and herbal dimensions. Super fresh palate, in great balance with all building blocks already put in place. This id definitely one to watch.
3 people found this helpful
Comments (1)