April 20, 2023 - As an admirer of contemporary Spottswoode, I was curious to drink this bottle. It opened with a beautiful, fruity nose, very fresh, but as one of our party noted, the smell did not match the palate. The latter was musky, had Indian spice and cumin, and black licorice, none of which worked particularly well together. This was after 2-3 hours slow ox. After another two hours, it finally integrated and settled down, with a typical older Cali cab profile, high acidity and moderate fruit. Same flavours, but more harmonious.
Day 2 it had taken on some pruniness and was slightly sour.
My advice would be a 4-5 hour decant before enjoying. I have a few so I will be interested to see if they’re any different.
December 25, 2020 - This bottle showed really great; now this is coming from one who enjoys "old" cabernet so take it as you may; the nose here is beautiful; cassis and dried blueberry initially quickly give way to pipe tobacco, damp earth, hints of cedar and spice. The palate is lovely and has excellent balance with better than expected concentrate and depth. Held up well for 2 hours of dinner with no significant changes. Delicious.
July 27, 2019 - Decanted at 4pm and tasted through 8pm with grilled steaks. Very different than my notes suggest from the bottles tasted 5-6 years ago. Medium dark garnet with little sign of age. Nose and palate are full of raisin, shoe leather, black plum and milk chocolate. Very long and slightly spicy on the finish. Really delicious with or without dinner. Tastes old but not oxidized. Noticeably better than my previous notes 5+ years ago suggest.
February 1, 2019 - Very mature, soft tannins, minimal fruit, good finish. A great.
July 14, 2018 - BBQ at The Papies (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): The wine didn't make the journey to 2018 unfortunately. Pity
September 10, 2015 - In great shape. May have another 5-10 left!
March 2, 2014 - In line with recent reviews - some fruit still remaining, earthy, mineral with hints of leather and burnt match. Food- friendly acidity, fully inegrated tannins and a medium finish. Not life-changing, but very enjoyable.
February 17, 2014 - Excellent balance, soft, slightly fading fruit but no sign of oxidation, a simple, pleasant older wine.
October 7, 2013 - Very nice color dark ruby with a little bricking but not much, fairly rich nose perhaps a little better than the palate. Lots of earth, mint, pencil lead, dark berries and plum. Moderately long aftertaste. Decent amount of fruit remaining.
September 15, 2012 - pleasant but not that remarkable. Definitely got better with more breathing. Very youthful in appearance...medium dark garnet no bricking to speak of. You get some oak/vanilla on the nose along with cigar box, tea and some black raspberry. Mouthfeel is not as soft as I expected, some tannin remains and the finish is still more astringent than other Spottswoode's of similar age.