Drank with all kids in town over Christmas and shared accordingly. Not enough for me. High quality obvious and tannins starting to integrate, but this could still use a couple more years.
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This was a sublime wine. Still showing blue fruit on the nose like a classic Napa cab, then transitioning to a complicated forest floor / pencil lead complex mid palate and super long finish more reminiscint of a first or second growth Pauliac. The color and fruit suggested a much younger wine. Well within the drinking window. I can't imagine it will get better but I bet it shows similar for another 4-5 years.
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Served en magnum, this has everything you want in a classic cabernet. Forest floor nose with stewed fruit compote palate. Long finish. The concentration may be a touch less than the truly great Napa or Bordeauxs I have drunk but excellent. 94+/100.
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Decanted 3 hours. The integration of this wine, despite high tannin, is incredible. This wine is a baby, but gives so much pleasure already. Blueberries on the nose, cassis, glycerin, such a smooth mouthfeel. Wow. Over 4 hours it smoothed out some, and was a delight to drink, but again, is still quite young. Fabulous wine.
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Double decant. Still needed time as it was too ripe. Classy sports wooed characteristics of soft rounded notes amd feminine textures. Not your big in your face Nap can. Short fonish. Needs time.
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From a double magnum. Very deep ruby with minimal fading at the rim. A staggeringly good wine, but a ripe and large-scale one by Spottswoode standards. Even from large format this is rocking right out of the bottle, offering vibrant aromas of blackberry jam, fresh black cherries, crème de framboise, violets, baked topsoil, gravel, smoke and oak spice. Full bodied, seamless and flat out delicious on the palate with medium+ acidity and fine, ripe tannins providing a backboard for the black fruit, driven flavors. This is classy stuff that should last decades in this format.
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I'm not really a cabernet lover which you can tell pretty quickly if you look at my notes; however I have always had a special place for Spottswoode as it was one of the first truly exquisite wines I ever drank. I distinctly remember the 2010 being scored 100 points by Parker and being very annoyed thinking the market would go wild and while it is certainly more than it used to be given the consistent quality it is still reasonably priced in the spectrum of Napa.
Finally decided to try a bottle of this. I tend to enjoy cabernet on the old to very old spectrum as I like the complexity rather than explosive and opulent fruit. For my personal taste, this was a long ways from being ready, that said it was quite an impressive wine. The nose was super pure with delicious blackberry jam, creme de cassis, violet, and mineral. With air you get hints of some herbs and bell pepper, tobacco, and some sweeter spices. The fruit is super fresh and pure and the other aspects add a lovely complexity. On the palate this is still quite big with plenty of structure underlying. There is also a really nicely judged acidity that lends freshness to the delicious dark fruit. A beautiful wine in the making. If you like cabernet fruit, this is probably coming into prime drinking for you; if you want more secondary development this has a ways to go and seems like it will drink well for a couple decades easily.
Saved 1/2 the bottle for a day; really not significantly changed; still with beautiful pure fruit; great freshness and balance. Tannins maybe slightly less, but somewhat surprisingly seemed essentially the same. Bodes well for long term.
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This is a fantastic wine. Explosive red fruit and mineral bouquet but distinctly Cabernet. On the palate loads of dark fruit are seemlessly integrated with the tannins. Secondary leather and cigar box flavors. The finish goes on forever. Decanted for 3.5 hours before drinking. You know it’s good when the wife leaves the room and says to make sure to leave her some.
In the bouquet red and dark berries, cherries and well integrated oak. On the palate red and dark berries, beautiful oak, good complexity, great concentration, full bodied yet elegant. Everything is beautifully integrated and the wine has a great length and enough potential for another 5+ years in the bottle at least.
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Another bottle with M and K, this time at Tuck Point on a beautiful late summer evening. As with the last bottle, there were some funky notes that did not fully disappear with air, but overall a very nice Cab that has begun to deepen and mellow with age.
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Wine was decanted for about 60 minutes prior to initial sip, and due to sediment it should be. Wine began to open up, but there still is a little more time before I think it hits home. Dark fruit was slightly muted, but deep red color overall. The finish was 20-40 seconds, and very pleasant.
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Wonderful, warm evening inside with M and K while it’s awfully cold outside. After a 2.5 hour decant, the 2010 Spottswoode had a funky note hanging in the background, but it did diminish over the next couple of hours. Following a 2004 Araujo Eisele, this wine was somewhat more dense and closed. I’d suggest a few more years in the cellar.
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94 points - Not sure about this one, which had been Coravin’d around last Thanksgiving. Don’t think that impacted it, as everything seemed balanced, but flavors and finish just didn’t seem to wow me this time. Maybe it’s me.
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An exquisite CS with floral notes, crushed rocks and black fruit on the nose. Flavors of black currant, plums, mocha and spice. Complex wine that evolved over the course of a 2-hour dinner. Silky tannins and a 20-second finish.
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As thick as a brick. The deepest squid ink, mouth staining color one could imagine. A velvet hammer -- unctuous to a fault. Where is the complexity and subtlety one expects from Spottswoode? There is a reason why I'm down to a handful of Spottswoode in my cellar. For sentimental reasons... too bad.
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It was a showdown of historic heavyweights in the 2010 vintage, with Spottswoode of St. Helena in one corner (c. 1982) and Joseph Phelps Backus of Oakville in the other (c. 1977). The wines are more alike than different, each offering rich fruit, grainy tannin, and plenty of years before they sleep. Still, the Spottswoode was the clear winner tonight, with just as much ripeness and complexity - but with a more elegant and refined mouthfeel.
- Backus. The heavier wine, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon offers a darker red in color and fuller in body. The aromas trend the same way, with heady notes of charcoal, blackberry, and gravel. The flavors are more deep, with notes of boynseberry, leather, and cocoa powder, with a tannic and earthy finish. 14.5% alcohol. Decant at least two hours, but it’s better to wait. 94 for now, with upside in 2023 or later.
- Spottswoode. Despite hailing from the northern (and warmer) portion fo the valley, this blend offers a more nimble and elegant interpretation of the vintage. Brighter red in color and a touch less full in body, the wine offers more aromas of blueberry, menthol, and dried herbs. The flavors are silky and light in the mouth, with notes of blueberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, and menthol, with an integrated, sweet, and silky finish. Blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 14.5% alcohol. Decant at least three hours. 95+ for now, with upside in 2022 or later.
These are both fantastic wines that I would not turn down in a heartbeat, and each has miles to go before they sleep. Both are good, but the Spottswoode was better tonight.
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Dark purple color turning violet at the rim with a reflective edge. The nose is dense but effervescent at the same time, giving off notes of ripe dark berries with hints of new leather and moist earth. The palate is very concentrated, full-bodied, velvety, almost creamy in texture, multi-layered and on high octane. And yet there’s lively acidity to balance the ripe blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry notes with secondary notes of mocha and vanilla on toasted oak. At ten years of age, the structure on this wine is for keeps - easily 40 years. Finishes long with hints of limestone mineral. Wow! 97+
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The best wine I've had this year, and probably last year as well. It was great to revisit this 5 years after my previous bottle. I was blown away by the depth and character of this wine. Stunning
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Nose is a bit muted after a 5 hour decant but explodes on the first taste with notes of blueberries, dark cherries, tobacco, forest floor, subtle notes of graphite, pencil lead pepper with silky tannins, incredible mouth feel and easily a 60 second plus finish. Solid 97.
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Well, Christmas dinner 2020. Have a couple of these left and opened one and it did not disappoint. Paired with a Wagyu Prime Rib (rare) and OMG; wish I could share the experience with all of you. Have a safe and healthy 2021
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Nose is dark dark fruit, leather, a warm cabin with a wood fire. Enchanting with a touch of perfume. Mouth is still bold and bright and intense- still tastes very young. Flavors echo the nose, leather, grilled lamb or venison, pencil lead, plums, dried dark cherry, minerals. Long long finish keeps going. Tasted side by side with the 2012.
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This is why I like Spottswoode so much. Huge flavor, but balanced and never coated my mouth with that painful tannic effect if you're drinking without food. Held strong two nights under pump. Clearly classic cab. Drink anytime and not going anywhere but up for a while yet.
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Bu avec la gang de FOUDUVIN au resto AVV La Suite de Sherbrooke. SUPERBE, Le rouge et LE vin de la soirée pour moi. Super complexe, riche et savoureux. 100 Points W.A. et on commence à comprendre pourquoi il va tendre à cette note! Beau nez sur les fruits noirs, les herbes, le cèdre, la terre et du chocolat noir, belle intensité! En bouche, la magie opère. Un main de fer dans un gant de velours. C`est cette belle intensité bien dosée qui met toute cette matière en équilibre comme un maestro. Des mures et du cassis avec du graphite et une pointe de menthol. Les tannins sont bien enrobés et granuleux. La finale toute en soie est longue sur des relents de minéraux. Puissance et finesse au milieu du balancier! Tout est là, déjà un superbe vin, il a encore pas mal de place pour amélioration! ÉPOUSTOUFLANT! Note sur le domaine: Établis en 1882, Spottswoode Estate se distingue par sa demeure Victorienne qui date de la pre-Prohibition, elle apparait d`ailleurs sur l`étiquette qui est fort jolie en passant!. Spottswoode a été inauguré par Mrs. Albert Spotts en 1910 et plus tard acquis par Mary et Jack Novak en 1972. Mary a relâchée son premier Spottswoode’s Cabernet Sauvignon en 1982, exactement cent années après la fondation du domaine.
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Had it blind and felt a nice, complex, intriguing mouthfeels, but the finish was a bit funky. I’m not sure if that’s the intention but others at the table said the wine was bad and another person picked it as the WOTN.
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Tasted next to the ‘07 Spottswoode Estate. While I give the edge to the ‘07 Spottswoode, the ‘10 is no slouch. The extra age on the ‘07 contributed to this observation because it is more evolved. Neverless, the ‘10 is awesome and has incredible depth and concentration. It is more high toned and has a stronger back bone than the ‘07. There is a tension in this wine that I love and it suggests it will be dynamite with 5-10 more years of age.
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4 hour decant. Excellent wine. Fruit ever so slightly fading and just a hint of tertiary flavors. Looking forward to seeing how this improves over the next 5 years.
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Lovely wine. Lush mouthfeel and exotic nose along with a amazing legth that lasts 3-4 mins. Drank beside the 2010 Maybach. Both excellent but I prefered the Spottswoode.
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Black fruit somewhat subdued on the palate. Full lush silky tannins fills the mouth with a long long finish It’s is early yet but the best wine of the year by a big margin. Drink now or for another 10+ years
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Un magnifique vin...qui ne cesse de s'améliorer...je commence à comprendre que le 100 points est VRAIMENT justifié ici et dieu merci qu'il m'en reste encore 3! Tout simplement divin après quelques heures en carafe et bu avec du boeuf Wagyu Alla Rossini (sans le pain mais avec le foie gras d'oie)...faut avouer que l'accord était assez "flabbergasting"....on se fait pas chier!!! Un nez puissant et raffiné, des effluves de fruits noirs, de cçdre, de terre et d'épices. En bouche c'est dense et généreux, complexe et souple, tout est là. Des arômes de bleuets, de cassis, de graphite, de tabac avec un peu de chocolat noir et de menthol. Les tanins sont bien enrobés et granuleux sur une finale interminable qui donne des impressions de minéraux. Un vin exceptionnel qui commence à entrer dans sa fenêtre et qui va rester dans son sweet spot longtemps selon moi. BRAVO!
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Spottswoode pairing at Pappas Steakhouse Houston. 2016 Estate 96+ a lot of upside. Very approachable for a such a young Cabernet. Very well made from what will be an iconic Napa vintage. 2016 Lyndenhurst 92+ Lovely nose that hit's the middle pallet with acid and tannins. Very nice wine for a 2nd label. 2015 Estate 95+ Very ripe on the nose. Floral with a boat load of Tannin. 2010 Estate 97 WOTN for me. This is a beautiful wine with room to develop more as I think the fruit is just starting to settle into that secondary window. 1996 NR- Not my style on the nose but I can appreciate how well this wine has aged.
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This was the consensus last place in a blind tasting of: 2010 Pride Cab Reserve, 2012 Greer, 2012 Morlet Estate, 2009 Colgin Estate, and 2011 Shafer Hillside. The old world characteristics were in shocking contrast to the rest of the wines tasted. This wine was dark and brooding with black cherry fruit, loads of shoe leather, tobacco, mushroom, coffee grounds, anise, and unpleasant brettanomyces. There are definitely redeeming qualities here. The wine is rich, powerful, and very complex. I would imagine those who appreciate the old world elements and don't mind brettanomyces would like it much better than I did.
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Dark red fruits, loads of spices, dried earth, licorice and vanilla. Very good cab, but seriously underwhelming after that triple digit score was handed out. It could use another 3-5 years.
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Corked bottle for 2 hours, then drank over 2 hours, no decant. Savory and slightly bretty, which I’m usually sensitive to, but the savory notes complimented the dark berry fruit. Great lingering finish.
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Served at my parents. Dark ruby fruit - dark cherry, dark currants, and blackberry. Smooth mid-palate with solid depth/concentration, however, I expected a little bigger/fuller fruit in light of Parker's 100 rating - medium plus body. Nice flavors of dark berries, some spice/licorice, a little chocolate, and a mineral/graphite component. Decent finish but not overly long nor deep. Decanted for one hour and drank over a couple more. Improved with time but drinking pretty well after the decant. A nice wine but I expected more in consideration of the WA rating. However, Parker stated in his 2016 review that he expects this vintage to hit its prime in ten years. WA anticipated maturity 2016 to 2056. Drank next to a 2015 Carter Beckstoffer OG cab and I thought the Carter was quite a bit better - bigger/fuller fruit, more flavorful/expressive, longer/deeper finish, etc.. In my opinion, the Spottswoode is closer to the 93 rating from WS at least at this stage. 92% cab sauvignon, 6% cab franc, and 2% petit verdot.
Impenetrable purple black color, deep earthy and black fruit nose. Full in mouth, rich and Long finish. Decanted 1 hr drank over next 2, increasingly better as it took on more air. Tannins evident and will carry this wine for another 15 years or longer. Extraordinary, full and powerful wine.
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Drank over three days. Decanted three hours. Muted aromatics and palate. Second day it's more open, but still not giving up much. By the end of day three this is starting to sing. Biggest difference is the finish that goes on for one minute plus on day three. Very primary throughout. Seems destined to age gracefully into a magnificent wine. 10+ years before it really starts to show it's stuff IMO.
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Just an amazing bottle of wine. Layered, elegant cherries and ripe strawberry. A vein of graphite and saddle leather. Monster tannin hidden below the surface. I have had a handful of bottles of this wine and they are consistently superb. This is Napa at it’s finest. Given the structure, this should drink well for twenty more years.
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Charleston Food & Wine Festival; 3/1/2018-3/3/2018 (Charleston, SC (various locations)): By far my favorite of the tasting. This wine is just elegant. It's cooler climate, built to age. The fruit and minerals are almost equally present in the wine. More restrained. Almost a tar-like flavor in the mid-palate. Touch of cherry. Only 60% new oak, 40% old. Blend with CF and PV (not a ton though). More of a perfume flavor. This is still a total baby, but I see great things ahead (prob another 5-10 years before first bottle should really be popped). While it was just a tasting and we were running out to another one afterwards, I made sure to finish this glass.
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Incredible nose. Great complexity. A multitude of different fruit characters here; builds to incredible intensity. Amazing structure. Quite a hit of drying tannins on the finish. Asian spices and soy on the finish. Great length.
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Outstanding wine, beautiful nose, powerful well balance with nice fruit and exceptionally long finish. Shared at a retirement dinner for a close friend. This wine outshined 2007 Spottswoode Estate and a 2010 Shafer Hillside Select, but I was surprised how similar all three wines were at this time. Drinking great now with years to go.
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It's a very well made wine . Big dark fruit , pretty bouquet and solid structure . I think this needs a good deal of time to settle yet at which point it will score even higher . I found the heat to be a bit much and I preferred the 12 over this at this early stage . Nonetheless still a classic Napa cab .
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This was not the blockbuster Parker 100 wine I was expecting so I was a little disappointed right there. However, it is a nice, elegant wine that was built very well. It took 2 hours to start opening and even by hour 3 it was still building. Notes of vanilla and graphite with a medium finish. Not the big fruit experience you get with young Napa cabs (which is a good thing)
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Hints of cocoa, rosemary and black cherry. Blackberry flavors and chalkiness on the palate. Alcohol is still a touch high, but the wine has great structure for aging. Decanted for 2 hours. Overall beautiful wine.
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Dark purple color. Notes of licorice, chocolate and creme de cassis. Really seamless, laser focused with tannins to last for many, many more years. This wine reflects the cooler vintage of 2010, with more mineral driven earthy flavors than fruit. Terrific balance and great complexity, with a finish that is a bit shorter than expected given the pedigree and rating. Still, this is a classic cab, not extracted or overdone and will likely continue to age beautifully. Certainly a Napa Cab for Bordeaux lovers.
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I wasnt at the level of scores some of the others were at. We drank this at San Pietros in NYC. It was closed and tight for sure. No decant time. All though it was improving in the glass. It was lighter in body. It wasn't big, dense or rich in any way. A little heat on the finish. This will improve with more bottle time for sure.
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This is a true benchmark cab worth seeking out. Stunning and expressive nose of cassis, vanilla and flowers. Palate is completely integrated with the tannins hidden beautifully. Classic cab notes- rich dark fruit, graphite, cocoa, leather...but in an understated and very balanced style. Incredible finish which is extremely long- it is a laugh out loud length. Overall an impeccable and complete wine capable of competing with the very best red wines of the world.
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First taste of this big boy. Huge, not the delicate, feminine Margaux that Parker always talks about. Great nose right away, and lots going on. But so dense I couldn't get a sense of what was going on. Maybe if I'd decanted it for 3 or 4 hours before drinking it would have been better. Obviously super serious stuff, just needs time and breathing. If you only have a couple, wait.another two or three years.
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Amazing fruit, and absolutely drinkable from the very first sip. Sophisticated, and nuanced, this is not a wall of grippy tannin, but nearly perfect presentation of fruit. Only slightly eclipsed by the '12 Memento Mori...which is saying a lot.
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A very interesting wine. My second from a case. Intoxicating nose. Graphite notes up front and a lovely front and mid palate. Long finish with still very present tannins. Somewhat improved over past year but this has many years ahead of it. It will be interesting to see how this develops. I am very pleased with this wine. I'd give it at least 3 if not 5 years to reach early maturity.
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This cab has an opportunity to be a 94-96 score. opening it at a restaurant was an amazing experience....I just wish it was 2018. Hopefully you get what I am trying to say. The notes on this wine had a lot going on....and long lasting. I wish I had a bottle in my private collection, but the one I bought in the restaurant will do.
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1500 Parker Points of Wines (GHT): I have no doubt that this wine will be a 100 pointer someday for me. Tonight, its a bit young and made in a style that needs time. This is a very Bordeaux styled Napa Cab. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, very perfumed, and spice. Also some graphite. On the palate, this is seamless. Great texture. Very tight though. Juicy acidity. great balance. It unwinds in the glass but could use air or time. George said it seemed more closed down than it was on release which makes sense. I would hold these at this point.
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Favorite of the group on a night with some great bottles. Decanted for 2 hours. Long, consistently good finish. Good fruit and oak but not over the top with either.
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At 111 Chop House, Worcester, MA. 150$ on the wine list! Decanted 1 hour.
Inky black, thick, viscous in the decanter. Primary fruit on the nose, swirling wafted the aroma a couple of feet. Pours nice and thick into the glass. On the palate a glorious, ethereal, musky, well defined mixture of black fruits.
Wonder if I can buy the rest of the bottles from the restaurant....
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Took a while to open up as to be expected, great nose of dark fruit, camphor, vanilla and sweet spices. Great balance but I did keep thinking there is no way this is 100 pts, but it is extremely good!
Very nice. Decanted and drank over 2 hours. Opened up somewhat over this time. Still needs time in cellar but all the stuffing seems to be there for this wine to develop nicely over next several years and likely a few more points. If it is going to shut down it has not yet and revealed good fruit along with reasonably grippy tannins. Solid mid palate and long if not a touch tight finish after hour 2. I am glad I have a case left.
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A nice example of how smooth and well balanced young Napa cabernet can be. On the nose creamy vanilla bean, dark red fruit, and a hint of alcohol. Tastes of dusty blackberry, chocolate strawberries, graphite, spice, and cassis liqueur. The tannins are pronounced but not overly firm. Still has a few years before reaching a nice drinking window. We gave it a full days decant.
http://maxsatisfactionwine.com/post/110317639829
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Had blind….we got a HUGE cab here….rich and smooth as silk…inky liqueured berry, cassis, dusty graphite powder, espresso, dark spices, woods….perfect balance of rich ripe fruit(but not too sweet), and structure. An amazing wine!
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Fantastic. In a tasting with other young and mature CA Cabernet superstars. Held its own. Dark on the poor. Beautiful cedar nose. Tannins already resolving but, I think this has a long life ahead of it.
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Inky in color, dense, rich and concentrated, the wine coats your mouth with layer after layer of polished, velvety, sweet, perfectly ripe black and blue fruits with licorice. The lush, supple finish really leaves an impression.
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Assemblage de 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc et 2% Petit Verdot. Robe pourpre, violet assez foncé. Un nez assez généreux et profond, des fruits noirs et une pointe de boisé. En bouche, belle texture velouté...c'est ample, assez riche mais tout en soie en même temps. Il évolu et il y a plusieurs couches de saveurs qui s'entremêles. On goûte la cerise noire et le chocolat au début, ensuite vient le boisé bien dosé, le tabac avec une pointe de vanille et vers la fin on a une touche d'herbes et une impression de minéralité. Les tannins sont charnus mais bien enrobés et la finale hyper longue. Un très beau vin, jeune encore certes mais d'un équilibre surprenant, tout simplement délicieux... Près d'un grand vin ici. PS: Un des rare cas que le 100pts de Parker est presque mérité, pas un vin parfait, le sera possiblement un jour?
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Extremely generous fruit, and although there is a strong and obvious vanilla flavor leached from barrel which I am not particularly fond of, the wines balance and complexity is too good not to consider a superstar. Opened far too early in it's life, but was surprisingly good upon pulling the cork.
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This smells amazing. Lots of berries, a little oak and some herbs and mint. The palate is very tightly coiled but full of delicious notes at different times. These need to rest but boy o boy thesw should be amazing in a few years.
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Private Dinner at Craft Butchery (Craft Butchery in Westport, CT): Tough call between so many nice wines but for me this edged the other for wine of the night. The nose was really singing on this with notes of currant, cherry, bell pepper and baking spice. To my knowledge this was the only wine tonight that was decanted and it certainly needed it because it was tannic. Displayed big fruit flavors though of cherry, blackberry, vanilla, mineral and a hint of earth. Glad I got to try this since I hesitated pulling the trigger on it and missed out.
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This wine is great but couldn't stand up to the power of the Schrader so suffered in comparison. This should do well with age and will be truly amazing in time.
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Opened at 9 am, decanted and let sit until about 4:30 pm. Rebottled and took to a crazy wine dinner, 15 guys, 30+ top bottles. This is clearly very young, but with all the air it settled enough to show some gorgeous dark fruit mingling with medium tannins. Wish I hadn't sold my other bottle, this will be crazy good in 8+ years.
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Welcoming Chicago winos - Part Deux (BLT Steak - Washington D.C. - High Octane Wines): Intense blue and black fruits with a hint of red, crèmes de cassis, crushed blackberries, ink and lead pencil. Excellent concentration, beautifully polished and surprisingly subtle palate, good focus and energy and seamless harmonious finish. Really impressive and sophisticate wine.
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Young but what a nose. Cassis, baking spices, beef, and dark berries. The palate is mouth coating and full with some chewiness and lots of great berry flavors. Some vanillin and a little grit that should settle with time. Great wine.
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Friday Night Double Blind $30+ (Bin 75): Deep dense core with bright purple ruby rim; lavender, olive, dark fruit, berry, smoke, vanilla, cassis, red currant, graphite; deep rich and sexy on the palate, soft tannin, pencil lead, sweet dark berry, plush almost like Syrah, vanilla integrated, tons of layers that need a lot of time to show its best but it's absolutely delicious now; 94+.
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I happen to agree with much that Conga wrote. I picked up a few bottles because Robert Parker gave it 100, and will not in the least say that I am disappointed. The wine has a welcoming attraction to it, the most caramel I have ever smelt in a wine, with beautiful black fruit, currents and asian spice. The concentration was certainly there, each mouthful delivered a heavyweight punch that could be felt for days. As a Bordeaux guy however, and considering Parker calls Spottswoode the "Chateau Margaux" of Napa, I certainly couldn't compare this to the 2004 Chateau Palmer that I had, because even an off vintage like the 2004, Palmer wins hands down. Not to take anything away from the 2010 Spottswoode, as it was a stunning wine, but I find 100 points a little bit of a reach. For the value I will certainly buy more, with hopes that a young giant like this will one day evolve into the 100 point bottle, it certainly is capable of it.
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I bought this wine as my first 100 point rated wine and with that had high expectations. Some positives. The price point was $140 prior to the recent Parker review going out and a big increase in price ($240). Taste of pencil shavings, graphite, earth after a short decant. As it evolved this mellowed more into a hint of caramels and pie crust. Th finish goes on for days and days and definitely can see the cellar ability of this wine. My opinion is that this wine is not so far above a 2008 O'shaughnessy Mount Veeder or Foley Howell Mountain. The O'shaughnessy being considerably less at $120 and the Foley close to its retail at $200 versus $240 if you can find the Spottswoode. Did I thoroughly enjoy this wine? YES! Is it so far superior to other wines and worth the additional price, you need to weigh your own preferences and decide.
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This is without a doubt the finest young Napa Cabernet that I have ever been fortunate enough to taste. The unctuous layers, that at first reveal and then retract in a way of wanting to be seen, still really expose all that's there. There's addicting aromatics that show more depth than Goethe could ever conceive: Black cherry, pencil lead, tobacco, blackberry, Oolong Tea, flower shop, peach pit and musk. The finish will continue into the next millennium and the entry is as suave as any legendary notion would allow. Alas, I am mesmerized on a plethora of levels and cannot find one simple flaw - a truly perfect wine she is. I would cellar this for as long as anyone could imagine (yet you could still enjoy this legend now, believe it or not...). Drink 2017 -.
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Bottle opened a couple of hours earlier, decanted & returned to bottle. Huge expressive nose. Dark cherry, plum, black pepper. Subtle oak. Initial taste is a huge mouthfeel. Long long finish starts showing huge backbone and a little red cherry. Tasted at the winery.
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small sample tasted at winery in June 2013. Very dark, ink like colour. dense and primary black fruit but not one dimensional with graphite and earth finish and good tannic backbone. I didnt think this was close to RP 100, but the potential in the minerality it showed, pushed me to buy 6 for $840, which in hindsight was an OK move. Interestingly, only 2 out of the 12 in our tasting group thought it was worth buying at that price.
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magenta, inky, in the color. black currant, floral, spice, mineral, blueberry, earth, on the nose. blueberry, spice, earth, chocolate, coffee, blackberry, on the palate. high acid, high tannins, on the finish.
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A truly magnificent nose, perfectly ripe fruit, ballpoint pen and nose that is only described as perfect. There are absolutely no flaws to be found from first sniff to finishing the glass. The palate is just lovely. Tannins are there and they are pretty expressive - but the wine is so young it is close to infanticide to taste it now. There is absolutely no heat and I am fully confident this beauty will turn into a white swan in due course. It is easy to be flattered by the power and elegance in this effort, as well as the astounding primary fruit. But thinking about how this wine will develop I cannot refrain from assigning it a perfect score. I see no reason not to. (Tasted in a flight with 2007 - 2010 Spottswoode)
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Just tasted a 2010 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at the winery in St. Helena. Dark purple hues turning violet at the rim and more aromatic than the Lyndenhurst Cabernet with deep, dark fruits and liqueur on the nose. The palate is rich and ultra velvety in texture with flavors of dark cherry, chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, and mild oak. Multi-dimensional and multi-layered. Finishes long with hints of salt minerals, and herbs. This is truly special and attractive. It's a classic blend in a great vintage that exhibits structure for the long haul and superb balance. I would put this just a notch lower than the 2007, but time could tell I'm wrong. Parker already did! Drink from 2018 to 2028. 96+
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Nice structure. Big tannins that were not invasive. Great complexity and depth to not only the nose but the taste. This is not a 96+ wine in my opinion but a solid 92-94 point wine. I think that spottswoode went from a boutique producer to wishing they were a larger producer and it shows with their second label. Honestly most Spottswoode blows me away and while this was good it did not live up to what Spottswoode should be. Stil a great wine though.
Great color in the glass. The nose shows classic cab cassis, dark berries, and a flash of oak. Great tight mineral definition. Palate is ripe but with a nice vein of cool flavors. Shows the year very well. Should drink great for a number of years.
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Deep dark color. The nose shows a wonderful medley of dark and red fruit. As you take in the aromas layers and layers of flavor emerge. Mint, clove, licorice form in the glass with time. The palate is wonderful and like most of the 2010s from Napa is in need of time but shows wonderful finesse and elegance. Great bottle of wine.
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Tasted at the winery. Has a wonderful mouth feel and flavor. Long finish. Should age beautifully. I like Spottswoode Estate Cabernet, and this is one of the best ever.
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4/20/2024 - WineWright Likes this wine: 95 Points
Just fantastic!
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4/14/2024 - Esmags7 Likes this wine:
Fantastic but took a full 7-8 hours before it was really open - didn't get to spend enough time with it to score but obviously a fantastic wine.
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1/26/2024 - Tonythefish Likes this wine: 94 Points
See prior notes - aging gracefully
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12/26/2023 - levinml wrote: 95 Points
Drank with all kids in town over Christmas and shared accordingly. Not enough for me. High quality obvious and tannins starting to integrate, but this could still use a couple more years.
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12/24/2023 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 94 Points
Good taste and good finish. Probably needs a decant.
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12/21/2023 - shaferguy91 wrote: 97 Points
Possibly the best Cab I have had this year.
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9/10/2023 - spoplack wrote: 99 Points
This was a sublime wine. Still showing blue fruit on the nose like a classic Napa cab, then transitioning to a complicated forest floor / pencil lead complex mid palate and super long finish more reminiscint of a first or second growth Pauliac. The color and fruit suggested a much younger wine. Well within the drinking window. I can't imagine it will get better but I bet it shows similar for another 4-5 years.
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7/30/2023 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 94 Points
Served en magnum, this has everything you want in a classic cabernet. Forest floor nose with stewed fruit compote palate. Long finish. The concentration may be a touch less than the truly great Napa or Bordeauxs I have drunk but excellent. 94+/100.
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7/9/2023 - The Andrews wrote: 98 Points
Decanted 3 hours. The integration of this wine, despite high tannin, is incredible. This wine is a baby, but gives so much pleasure already. Blueberries on the nose, cassis, glycerin, such a smooth mouthfeel. Wow. Over 4 hours it smoothed out some, and was a delight to drink, but again, is still quite young. Fabulous wine.
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5/28/2023 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Double decant. Still needed time as it was too ripe. Classy sports wooed characteristics of soft rounded notes amd feminine textures. Not your big in your face Nap can. Short fonish. Needs time.
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5/16/2023 - Tonythefish Likes this wine: 94 Points
See prior notes from March
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5/4/2023 - wino_tim wrote: 96 Points
From a double magnum. Very deep ruby with minimal fading at the rim. A staggeringly good wine, but a ripe and large-scale one by Spottswoode standards. Even from large format this is rocking right out of the bottle, offering vibrant aromas of blackberry jam, fresh black cherries, crème de framboise, violets, baked topsoil, gravel, smoke and oak spice. Full bodied, seamless and flat out delicious on the palate with medium+ acidity and fine, ripe tannins providing a backboard for the black fruit, driven flavors. This is classy stuff that should last decades in this format.
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4/2/2023 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
I'm not really a cabernet lover which you can tell pretty quickly if you look at my notes; however I have always had a special place for Spottswoode as it was one of the first truly exquisite wines I ever drank. I distinctly remember the 2010 being scored 100 points by Parker and being very annoyed thinking the market would go wild and while it is certainly more than it used to be given the consistent quality it is still reasonably priced in the spectrum of Napa.
Finally decided to try a bottle of this. I tend to enjoy cabernet on the old to very old spectrum as I like the complexity rather than explosive and opulent fruit. For my personal taste, this was a long ways from being ready, that said it was quite an impressive wine. The nose was super pure with delicious blackberry jam, creme de cassis, violet, and mineral. With air you get hints of some herbs and bell pepper, tobacco, and some sweeter spices. The fruit is super fresh and pure and the other aspects add a lovely complexity. On the palate this is still quite big with plenty of structure underlying. There is also a really nicely judged acidity that lends freshness to the delicious dark fruit. A beautiful wine in the making. If you like cabernet fruit, this is probably coming into prime drinking for you; if you want more secondary development this has a ways to go and seems like it will drink well for a couple decades easily.
Saved 1/2 the bottle for a day; really not significantly changed; still with beautiful pure fruit; great freshness and balance. Tannins maybe slightly less, but somewhat surprisingly seemed essentially the same. Bodes well for long term.
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2/4/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine: 98 Points
This is a fantastic wine. Explosive red fruit and mineral bouquet but distinctly Cabernet. On the palate loads of dark fruit are seemlessly integrated with the tannins. Secondary leather and cigar box flavors. The finish goes on forever. Decanted for 3.5 hours before drinking. You know it’s good when the wife leaves the room and says to make sure to leave her some.
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1/28/2023 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 95 Points
Beautiful feminine romantic wine in a good spot. Could use another 2-3 years of maturity but really enjoyed it. Long supple finish.
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11/20/2022 - Zweder wrote: 97 Points
In the bouquet red and dark berries, cherries and well integrated oak. On the palate red and dark berries, beautiful oak, good complexity, great concentration, full bodied yet elegant. Everything is beautifully integrated and the wine has a great length and enough potential for another 5+ years in the bottle at least.
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9/3/2022 - Red Sox Fan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Another bottle with M and K, this time at Tuck Point on a beautiful late summer evening. As with the last bottle, there were some funky notes that did not fully disappear with air, but overall a very nice Cab that has begun to deepen and mellow with age.
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3/4/2022 - Tonythefish Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wine was decanted for about 60 minutes prior to initial sip, and due to sediment it should be. Wine began to open up, but there still is a little more time before I think it hits home. Dark fruit was slightly muted, but deep red color overall. The finish was 20-40 seconds, and very pleasant.
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1/22/2022 - Red Sox Fan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful, warm evening inside with M and K while it’s awfully cold outside. After a 2.5 hour decant, the 2010 Spottswoode had a funky note hanging in the background, but it did diminish over the next couple of hours. Following a 2004 Araujo Eisele, this wine was somewhat more dense and closed. I’d suggest a few more years in the cellar.
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1/1/2022 - Dan & Patti Likes this wine: 92 Points
Losing steam drink now
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10/31/2021 - levinml wrote: 94 Points
94 points - Not sure about this one, which had been Coravin’d around last Thanksgiving. Don’t think that impacted it, as everything seemed balanced, but flavors and finish just didn’t seem to wow me this time. Maybe it’s me.
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10/20/2021 - jcampano Likes this wine: 97 Points
An exquisite CS with floral notes, crushed rocks and black fruit on the nose. Flavors of black currant, plums, mocha and spice. Complex wine that evolved over the course of a 2-hour dinner. Silky tannins and a 20-second finish.
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9/5/2021 - pepmi wrote: 88 Points
As thick as a brick. The deepest squid ink, mouth staining color one could imagine. A velvet hammer -- unctuous to a fault. Where is the complexity and subtlety one expects from Spottswoode? There is a reason why I'm down to a handful of Spottswoode in my cellar. For sentimental reasons... too bad.
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7/7/2021 - Peter Z. Likes this wine: 97 Points
Such pleasure to drink this smooth velvety wine. Great structure and balance, not too sweet, just enough to make this even more enjoyable. Love it!
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6/21/2021 - bonedoc wrote:
Was the only wine amongst 9 2010 napa cabs that showed brett. The Brett wasn’t offensive, but it was an outlier. It did add a savory note to the wine.
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5/10/2021 - Bluethunder wrote: 96 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Drinking wonderful with long life ahead it.
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5/2/2021 - Hercules Likes this wine:
Wonderfull. Amazing depth. Doesn't get much better than this!
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4/17/2021 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 95 Points
From magnum. Firing on all cylinders and just a wonderful expression of Napa cabernet.
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2/9/2021 - msuwine wrote: 95 Points
It was a showdown of historic heavyweights in the 2010 vintage, with Spottswoode of St. Helena in one corner (c. 1982) and Joseph Phelps Backus of Oakville in the other (c. 1977). The wines are more alike than different, each offering rich fruit, grainy tannin, and plenty of years before they sleep. Still, the Spottswoode was the clear winner tonight, with just as much ripeness and complexity - but with a more elegant and refined mouthfeel.
- Backus. The heavier wine, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon offers a darker red in color and fuller in body. The aromas trend the same way, with heady notes of charcoal, blackberry, and gravel. The flavors are more deep, with notes of boynseberry, leather, and cocoa powder, with a tannic and earthy finish. 14.5% alcohol. Decant at least two hours, but it’s better to wait. 94 for now, with upside in 2023 or later.
- Spottswoode. Despite hailing from the northern (and warmer) portion fo the valley, this blend offers a more nimble and elegant interpretation of the vintage. Brighter red in color and a touch less full in body, the wine offers more aromas of blueberry, menthol, and dried herbs. The flavors are silky and light in the mouth, with notes of blueberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, and menthol, with an integrated, sweet, and silky finish. Blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 14.5% alcohol. Decant at least three hours. 95+ for now, with upside in 2022 or later.
These are both fantastic wines that I would not turn down in a heartbeat, and each has miles to go before they sleep. Both are good, but the Spottswoode was better tonight.
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1/9/2021 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 97 Points
Dark purple color turning violet at the rim with a reflective edge. The nose is dense but effervescent at the same time, giving off notes of ripe dark berries with hints of new leather and moist earth. The palate is very concentrated, full-bodied, velvety, almost creamy in texture, multi-layered and on high octane. And yet there’s lively acidity to balance the ripe blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry notes with secondary notes of mocha and vanilla on toasted oak. At ten years of age, the structure on this wine is for keeps - easily 40 years. Finishes long with hints of limestone mineral. Wow! 97+
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12/31/2020 - jhieb Likes this wine: 100 Points
The best wine I've had this year, and probably last year as well. It was great to revisit this 5 years after my previous bottle. I was blown away by the depth and character of this wine. Stunning
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12/30/2020 - jdrhyne Likes this wine: 97 Points
Nose is a bit muted after a 5 hour decant but explodes on the first taste with notes of blueberries, dark cherries, tobacco, forest floor, subtle notes of graphite, pencil lead pepper with silky tannins, incredible mouth feel and easily a 60 second plus finish. Solid 97.
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12/25/2020 - ungerlei wrote: 100 Points
Well, Christmas dinner 2020. Have a couple of these left and opened one and it did not disappoint. Paired with a Wagyu Prime Rib (rare) and OMG; wish I could share the experience with all of you. Have a safe and healthy 2021
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10/27/2020 - shaferguy91 wrote: 96 Points
Very young but opened up nicely after about an hour. Terrific young wine.
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10/23/2020 - Applewine wrote: 99 Points
One of those bottles that you wished was larger - so amazing
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10/9/2020 - AlexHop wrote: 98 Points
Nose is dark dark fruit, leather, a warm cabin with a wood fire. Enchanting with a touch of perfume. Mouth is still bold and bright and intense- still tastes very young. Flavors echo the nose, leather, grilled lamb or venison, pencil lead, plums, dried dark cherry, minerals. Long long finish keeps going. Tasted side by side with the 2012.
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9/19/2020 - levinml wrote: 96 Points
This is why I like Spottswoode so much. Huge flavor, but balanced and never coated my mouth with that painful tannic effect if you're drinking without food. Held strong two nights under pump. Clearly classic cab. Drink anytime and not going anywhere but up for a while yet.
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8/22/2020 - Hercules Likes this wine:
Perfection. Still young.
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8/1/2020 - maxima wrote: 95 Points
Bu avec la gang de FOUDUVIN au resto AVV
La Suite de Sherbrooke.
SUPERBE, Le rouge et LE vin de la soirée pour moi.
Super complexe, riche et savoureux.
100 Points W.A. et on commence à comprendre pourquoi
il va tendre à cette note!
Beau nez sur les fruits noirs, les herbes, le cèdre, la terre
et du chocolat noir, belle intensité!
En bouche, la magie opère. Un main de fer dans un gant de velours.
C`est cette belle intensité bien dosée
qui met toute cette matière en équilibre comme un maestro.
Des mures et du cassis avec du graphite et
une pointe de menthol. Les tannins sont bien enrobés et granuleux.
La finale toute en soie est longue sur des relents de minéraux.
Puissance et finesse au milieu du balancier!
Tout est là, déjà un superbe vin, il a encore pas mal de place pour
amélioration!
ÉPOUSTOUFLANT!
Note sur le domaine:
Établis en 1882, Spottswoode Estate se distingue par
sa demeure Victorienne qui date de la pre-Prohibition,
elle apparait d`ailleurs sur l`étiquette qui est fort jolie en passant!.
Spottswoode a été inauguré par Mrs. Albert Spotts en 1910 et
plus tard acquis par Mary et Jack Novak en 1972.
Mary a relâchée son premier Spottswoode’s Cabernet Sauvignon en 1982,
exactement cent années après la fondation du domaine.
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7/18/2020 - gteran76 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had it blind and felt a nice, complex, intriguing mouthfeels, but the finish was a bit funky. I’m not sure if that’s the intention but others at the table said the wine was bad and another person picked it as the WOTN.
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6/12/2020 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tasted next to the ‘07 Spottswoode Estate. While I give the edge to the ‘07 Spottswoode, the ‘10 is no slouch. The extra age on the ‘07 contributed to this observation because it is more evolved. Neverless, the ‘10 is awesome and has incredible depth and concentration. It is more high toned and has a stronger back bone than the ‘07. There is a tension in this wine that I love and it suggests it will be dynamite with 5-10 more years of age.
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6/5/2020 - EM_MB Likes this wine: 96 Points
4 hour decant. Excellent wine. Fruit ever so slightly fading and just a hint of tertiary flavors. Looking forward to seeing how this improves over the next 5 years.
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3/24/2020 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 96 Points
Lovely wine. Lush mouthfeel and exotic nose along with a amazing legth that lasts 3-4 mins. Drank beside the 2010 Maybach. Both excellent but I prefered the Spottswoode.
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1/19/2020 - bobh22314 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Black fruit somewhat subdued on the palate. Full lush silky tannins fills the mouth with a long long finish
It’s is early yet but the best wine of the year by a big margin. Drink now or for another 10+ years
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10/18/2019 - maxima wrote: 95 Points
Un magnifique vin...qui ne cesse de s'améliorer...je commence
à comprendre que le 100 points est VRAIMENT justifié
ici et dieu merci qu'il m'en reste encore 3!
Tout simplement divin après quelques heures en carafe et bu
avec du boeuf Wagyu Alla Rossini (sans le pain mais avec le foie gras d'oie)...faut avouer
que l'accord était assez "flabbergasting"....on se fait pas chier!!!
Un nez puissant et raffiné, des effluves de fruits noirs, de cçdre,
de terre et d'épices.
En bouche c'est dense et généreux, complexe et souple, tout est là.
Des arômes de bleuets, de cassis, de graphite, de tabac avec
un peu de chocolat noir et de menthol.
Les tanins sont bien enrobés et granuleux sur
une finale interminable qui donne des impressions
de minéraux.
Un vin exceptionnel qui commence à entrer dans sa fenêtre et qui va
rester dans son sweet spot longtemps selon moi.
BRAVO!
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10/16/2019 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 97 Points
Spottswoode pairing at Pappas Steakhouse Houston.
2016 Estate 96+ a lot of upside. Very approachable for a such a young Cabernet. Very well made from what will be an iconic Napa vintage.
2016 Lyndenhurst 92+ Lovely nose that hit's the middle pallet with acid and tannins. Very nice wine for a 2nd label.
2015 Estate 95+ Very ripe on the nose. Floral with a boat load of Tannin.
2010 Estate 97 WOTN for me. This is a beautiful wine with room to develop more as I think the fruit is just starting to settle into that secondary window.
1996 NR- Not my style on the nose but I can appreciate how well this wine has aged.
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2/1/2019 - brettay Does not like this wine: 85 Points
This was the consensus last place in a blind tasting of: 2010 Pride Cab Reserve, 2012 Greer, 2012 Morlet Estate, 2009 Colgin Estate, and 2011 Shafer Hillside. The old world characteristics were in shocking contrast to the rest of the wines tasted. This wine was dark and brooding with black cherry fruit, loads of shoe leather, tobacco, mushroom, coffee grounds, anise, and unpleasant brettanomyces. There are definitely redeeming qualities here. The wine is rich, powerful, and very complex. I would imagine those who appreciate the old world elements and don't mind brettanomyces would like it much better than I did.
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1/6/2019 - pakabear Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark red fruits, loads of spices, dried earth, licorice and vanilla. Very good cab, but seriously underwhelming after that triple digit score was handed out. It could use another 3-5 years.
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12/30/2018 - ledwards wrote: 97 Points
Just an incredibly balanced and flawless wine.
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12/16/2018 - bonedoc wrote: 95 Points
Corked bottle for 2 hours, then drank over 2 hours, no decant. Savory and slightly bretty, which I’m usually sensitive to, but the savory notes complimented the dark berry fruit. Great lingering finish.
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10/16/2018 - Badmonkey wrote: 94 Points
Served at my parents. Dark ruby fruit - dark cherry, dark currants, and blackberry. Smooth mid-palate with solid depth/concentration, however, I expected a little bigger/fuller fruit in light of Parker's 100 rating - medium plus body. Nice flavors of dark berries, some spice/licorice, a little chocolate, and a mineral/graphite component. Decent finish but not overly long nor deep. Decanted for one hour and drank over a couple more. Improved with time but drinking pretty well after the decant. A nice wine but I expected more in consideration of the WA rating. However, Parker stated in his 2016 review that he expects this vintage to hit its prime in ten years. WA anticipated maturity 2016 to 2056. Drank next to a 2015 Carter Beckstoffer OG cab and I thought the Carter was quite a bit better - bigger/fuller fruit, more flavorful/expressive, longer/deeper finish, etc.. In my opinion, the Spottswoode is closer to the 93 rating from WS at least at this stage. 92% cab sauvignon, 6% cab franc, and 2% petit verdot.
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7/1/2018 - dclaggett Likes this wine: 96 Points
Impenetrable purple black color, deep earthy and black fruit nose. Full in mouth, rich and Long finish. Decanted 1 hr drank over next 2, increasingly better as it took on more air. Tannins evident and will carry this wine for another 15 years or longer. Extraordinary, full and powerful wine.
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6/10/2018 - roybivens Likes this wine: 98 Points
This one continues to live up to the hype. Stunning. Score [ 50 + 5 + 14 + 20 + 9 ] = 98.
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5/21/2018 - hawkeye54 wrote: 94 Points
Drank over three days. Decanted three hours. Muted aromatics and palate. Second day it's more open, but still not giving up much. By the end of day three this is starting to sing. Biggest difference is the finish that goes on for one minute plus on day three. Very primary throughout. Seems destined to age gracefully into a magnificent wine. 10+ years before it really starts to show it's stuff IMO.
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3/17/2018 - ledwards wrote: 98 Points
Just an amazing bottle of wine. Layered, elegant cherries and ripe strawberry. A vein of graphite and saddle leather. Monster tannin hidden below the surface. I have had a handful of bottles of this wine and they are consistently superb. This is Napa at it’s finest. Given the structure, this should drink well for twenty more years.
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3/10/2018 - Tonythefish wrote: 95 Points
Has aged seamlessly and beautifully. Exuberant fruit, balanced with hints of ginger, cinnamon and pencil lead. Enjoy
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3/2/2018 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Charleston Food & Wine Festival; 3/1/2018-3/3/2018 (Charleston, SC (various locations)): By far my favorite of the tasting. This wine is just elegant. It's cooler climate, built to age. The fruit and minerals are almost equally present in the wine. More restrained. Almost a tar-like flavor in the mid-palate. Touch of cherry. Only 60% new oak, 40% old. Blend with CF and PV (not a ton though). More of a perfume flavor. This is still a total baby, but I see great things ahead (prob another 5-10 years before first bottle should really be popped). While it was just a tasting and we were running out to another one afterwards, I made sure to finish this glass.
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2/20/2018 - vespasian wrote:
Incredible nose. Great complexity. A multitude of different fruit characters here; builds to incredible intensity. Amazing structure. Quite a hit of drying tannins on the finish. Asian spices and soy on the finish. Great length.
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2/2/2018 - D3S Likes this wine: 98 Points
Outstanding wine, beautiful nose, powerful well balance with nice fruit and exceptionally long finish. Shared at a retirement dinner for a close friend. This wine outshined 2007 Spottswoode Estate and a 2010 Shafer Hillside Select, but I was surprised how similar all three wines were at this time. Drinking great now with years to go.
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1/27/2018 - mischwine wrote: 100 Points
I cannot argue with Robert Parker here. gorgeous, incredibly well-layered wine....enjoyed with Mr. & Mrs. K!!
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12/2/2017 - Gangsta JP Likes this wine: 94 Points
It's a very well made wine . Big dark fruit , pretty bouquet and solid structure . I think this needs a good deal of time to settle yet at which point it will score even higher . I found the heat to be a bit much and I preferred the 12 over this at this early stage . Nonetheless still a classic Napa cab .
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9/19/2017 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was not the blockbuster Parker 100 wine I was expecting so I was a little disappointed right there. However, it is a nice, elegant wine that was built very well. It took 2 hours to start opening and even by hour 3 it was still building. Notes of vanilla and graphite with a medium finish. Not the big fruit experience you get with young Napa cabs (which is a good thing)
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3/11/2017 - Wineson Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine just had something extra
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2/28/2017 - dkentaustin wrote: 94 Points
Hints of cocoa, rosemary and black cherry. Blackberry flavors and chalkiness on the palate. Alcohol is still a touch high, but the wine has great structure for aging. Decanted for 2 hours. Overall beautiful wine.
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1/8/2017 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dark purple color. Notes of licorice, chocolate and creme de cassis. Really seamless, laser focused with tannins to last for many, many more years. This wine reflects the cooler vintage of 2010, with more mineral driven earthy flavors than fruit. Terrific balance and great complexity, with a finish that is a bit shorter than expected given the pedigree and rating. Still, this is a classic cab, not extracted or overdone and will likely continue to age beautifully. Certainly a Napa Cab for Bordeaux lovers.
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12/16/2016 - Snorsels wrote:
J&j seattle
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10/20/2016 - fine137 Likes this wine: 98 Points
TBD, but wait 7+ years for the next one.
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10/15/2016 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 92 Points
I wasnt at the level of scores some of the others were at. We drank this at San Pietros in NYC. It was closed and tight for sure. No decant time. All though it was improving in the glass. It was lighter in body. It wasn't big, dense or rich in any way. A little heat on the finish. This will improve with more bottle time for sure.
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7/19/2016 - BigRedKT Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking wonderful right now. Lots of structure, this will hold for another 20 plus years.
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5/2/2016 - ledwards wrote: 98 Points
This is a true benchmark cab worth seeking out. Stunning and expressive nose of cassis, vanilla and flowers. Palate is completely integrated with the tannins hidden beautifully. Classic cab notes- rich dark fruit, graphite, cocoa, leather...but in an understated and very balanced style. Incredible finish which is extremely long- it is a laugh out loud length. Overall an impeccable and complete wine capable of competing with the very best red wines of the world.
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1/12/2016 - mischwine wrote: 99 Points
simply gorgeous - pefect....lingers....WOW!!!
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12/19/2015 - levinml wrote: 94 Points
First taste of this big boy. Huge, not the delicate, feminine Margaux that Parker always talks about. Great nose right away, and lots going on. But so dense I couldn't get a sense of what was going on. Maybe if I'd decanted it for 3 or 4 hours before drinking it would have been better. Obviously super serious stuff, just needs time and breathing. If you only have a couple, wait.another two or three years.
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12/16/2015 - jhieb Likes this wine: 96 Points
Amazing fruit, and absolutely drinkable from the very first sip. Sophisticated, and nuanced, this is not a wall of grippy tannin, but nearly perfect presentation of fruit. Only slightly eclipsed by the '12 Memento Mori...which is saying a lot.
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12/5/2015 - Pcrage wrote: 95 Points
A very interesting wine. My second from a case. Intoxicating nose. Graphite notes up front and a lovely front and mid palate. Long finish with still very present tannins. Somewhat improved over past year but this has many years ahead of it. It will be interesting to see how this develops. I am very pleased with this wine. I'd give it at least 3 if not 5 years to reach early maturity.
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7/18/2015 - Cuellar's Cellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
This cab has an opportunity to be a 94-96 score. opening it at a restaurant was an amazing experience....I just wish it was 2018. Hopefully you get what I am trying to say. The notes on this wine had a lot going on....and long lasting. I wish I had a bottle in my private collection, but the one I bought in the restaurant will do.
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6/28/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 98 Points
1500 Parker Points of Wines (GHT): I have no doubt that this wine will be a 100 pointer someday for me. Tonight, its a bit young and made in a style that needs time. This is a very Bordeaux styled Napa Cab. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, very perfumed, and spice. Also some graphite. On the palate, this is seamless. Great texture. Very tight though. Juicy acidity. great balance. It unwinds in the glass but could use air or time. George said it seemed more closed down than it was on release which makes sense. I would hold these at this point.
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6/21/2015 - Encinitas_Joe wrote: 98 Points
Favorite of the group on a night with some great bottles. Decanted for 2 hours. Long, consistently good finish. Good fruit and oak but not over the top with either.
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3/21/2015 - Mech-E Likes this wine: 98 Points
At 111 Chop House, Worcester, MA. 150$ on the wine list! Decanted 1 hour.
Inky black, thick, viscous in the decanter. Primary fruit on the nose, swirling wafted the aroma a couple of feet. Pours nice and thick into the glass. On the palate a glorious, ethereal, musky, well defined mixture of black fruits.
Wonder if I can buy the rest of the bottles from the restaurant....
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3/1/2015 - pakabear Likes this wine: 96 Points
Took a while to open up as to be expected, great nose of dark fruit, camphor, vanilla and sweet spices. Great balance but I did keep thinking there is no way this is 100 pts, but it is extremely good!
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2/14/2015 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 97 Points
Just an amazing wine with incredible depth and opulence. Stunningly smooth but clearly built for a long life. Can't wait to try again in 10 years.
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2/12/2015 - Pcrage wrote: 94 Points
Very nice. Decanted and drank over 2 hours. Opened up somewhat over this time. Still needs time in cellar but all the stuffing seems to be there for this wine to develop nicely over next several years and likely a few more points. If it is going to shut down it has not yet and revealed good fruit along with reasonably grippy tannins. Solid mid palate and long if not a touch tight finish after hour 2. I am glad I have a case left.
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2/6/2015 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 Points
A nice example of how smooth and well balanced young Napa cabernet can be. On the nose creamy vanilla bean, dark red fruit, and a hint of alcohol. Tastes of dusty blackberry, chocolate strawberries, graphite, spice, and cassis liqueur. The tannins are pronounced but not overly firm. Still has a few years before reaching a nice drinking window. We gave it a full days decant.
http://maxsatisfactionwine.com/post/110317639829
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1/31/2015 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 97 Points
Had blind….we got a HUGE cab here….rich and smooth as silk…inky liqueured berry, cassis, dusty graphite powder, espresso, dark spices, woods….perfect balance of rich ripe fruit(but not too sweet), and structure. An amazing wine!
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1/13/2015 - sja61 wrote: 96 Points
Fantastic. In a tasting with other young and mature CA Cabernet superstars. Held its own. Dark on the poor. Beautiful cedar nose. Tannins already resolving but, I think this has a long life ahead of it.
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12/15/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
Inky in color, dense, rich and concentrated, the wine coats your mouth with layer after layer of polished, velvety, sweet, perfectly ripe black and blue fruits with licorice. The lush, supple finish really leaves an impression.
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11/27/2014 - maxima wrote: 94 Points
Assemblage de 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc et 2% Petit Verdot.
Robe pourpre, violet assez foncé.
Un nez assez généreux et profond, des fruits noirs et une pointe de boisé.
En bouche, belle texture velouté...c'est ample, assez riche mais tout en soie en même temps.
Il évolu et il y a plusieurs couches de saveurs qui s'entremêles.
On goûte la cerise noire et le chocolat au début,
ensuite vient le boisé bien dosé, le tabac avec une pointe de vanille
et vers la fin on a une touche d'herbes et
une impression de minéralité.
Les tannins sont charnus mais bien enrobés et la finale hyper longue.
Un très beau vin, jeune encore certes mais d'un équilibre surprenant, tout simplement délicieux... Près d'un grand vin ici.
PS: Un des rare cas que le 100pts de Parker est presque mérité,
pas un vin parfait, le sera possiblement un jour?
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11/3/2014 - TightLettuce Likes this wine: 96 Points
Extremely generous fruit, and although there is a strong and obvious vanilla flavor leached from barrel which I am not particularly fond of, the wines balance and complexity is too good not to consider a superstar. Opened far too early in it's life, but was surprisingly good upon pulling the cork.
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10/25/2014 - Uglypinga wrote:
This smells amazing. Lots of berries, a little oak and some herbs and mint. The palate is very tightly coiled but full of delicious notes at different times. These need to rest but boy o boy thesw should be amazing in a few years.
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10/20/2014 - madalyn Likes this wine: 95 Points
wonderful wine, liked it now, stuff to last
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9/7/2014 - Neras Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark, dark wine. Very concentrated and fruity. In total balance and a seamless, wonderful wine. A little on the early side. Plenty years ahead.
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8/15/2014 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Private Dinner at Craft Butchery (Craft Butchery in Westport, CT): Tough call between so many nice wines but for me this edged the other for wine of the night. The nose was really singing on this with notes of currant, cherry, bell pepper and baking spice. To my knowledge this was the only wine tonight that was decanted and it certainly needed it because it was tannic. Displayed big fruit flavors though of cherry, blackberry, vanilla, mineral and a hint of earth. Glad I got to try this since I hesitated pulling the trigger on it and missed out.
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8/9/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine is great but couldn't stand up to the power of the Schrader so suffered in comparison. This should do well with age and will be truly amazing in time.
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8/9/2014 - BinVA Likes this wine: 96 Points
Opened at 9 am, decanted and let sit until about 4:30 pm. Rebottled and took to a crazy wine dinner, 15 guys, 30+ top bottles. This is clearly very young, but with all the air it settled enough to show some gorgeous dark fruit mingling with medium tannins. Wish I hadn't sold my other bottle, this will be crazy good in 8+ years.
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8/9/2014 - dcwino wrote: 98 Points
Welcoming Chicago winos - Part Deux (BLT Steak - Washington D.C. - High Octane Wines): Intense blue and black fruits with a hint of red, crèmes de cassis, crushed blackberries, ink and lead pencil. Excellent concentration, beautifully polished and surprisingly subtle palate, good focus and energy and seamless harmonious finish. Really impressive and sophisticate wine.
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8/9/2014 - Uglypinga wrote:
Primary nose lots of ripe fruit. The palate is loaded with cassis and vanillin. So tight and tannic though....
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7/12/2014 - G_H Likes this wine: 95 Points
Continues to be brilliant. massive rich napa cab with so much complexity amd not overwhelmed by the fruit, just what i love!
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7/2/2014 - G_H Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great great wine! Nose and palate remind me of buccella. Herbal, cassis, blackberries. great nose, way too young, but already amazing.
Thanks coravin!
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6/1/2014 - G_H wrote: 94 Points
Great nose, really young! Super black berry, fruit driven! Rally long, dense and intense, but way too young!
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5/1/2014 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Young but what a nose. Cassis, baking spices, beef, and dark berries. The palate is mouth coating and full with some chewiness and lots of great berry flavors. Some vanillin and a little grit that should settle with time. Great wine.
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3/7/2014 - Rezy13 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Friday Night Double Blind $30+ (Bin 75): Deep dense core with bright purple ruby rim; lavender, olive, dark fruit, berry, smoke, vanilla, cassis, red currant, graphite; deep rich and sexy on the palate, soft tannin, pencil lead, sweet dark berry, plush almost like Syrah, vanilla integrated, tons of layers that need a lot of time to show its best but it's absolutely delicious now; 94+.
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2/15/2014 - TightLettuce Likes this wine: 95 Points
I happen to agree with much that Conga wrote. I picked up a few bottles because Robert Parker gave it 100, and will not in the least say that I am disappointed. The wine has a welcoming attraction to it, the most caramel I have ever smelt in a wine, with beautiful black fruit, currents and asian spice. The concentration was certainly there, each mouthful delivered a heavyweight punch that could be felt for days. As a Bordeaux guy however, and considering Parker calls Spottswoode the "Chateau Margaux" of Napa, I certainly couldn't compare this to the 2004 Chateau Palmer that I had, because even an off vintage like the 2004, Palmer wins hands down. Not to take anything away from the 2010 Spottswoode, as it was a stunning wine, but I find 100 points a little bit of a reach. For the value I will certainly buy more, with hopes that a young giant like this will one day evolve into the 100 point bottle, it certainly is capable of it.
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2/1/2014 - conga523 wrote: 95 Points
I bought this wine as my first 100 point rated wine and with that had high expectations. Some positives. The price point was $140 prior to the recent Parker review going out and a big increase in price ($240). Taste of pencil shavings, graphite, earth after a short decant. As it evolved this mellowed more into a hint of caramels and pie crust. Th finish goes on for days and days and definitely can see the cellar ability of this wine. My opinion is that this wine is not so far above a 2008 O'shaughnessy Mount Veeder or Foley Howell Mountain. The O'shaughnessy being considerably less at $120 and the Foley close to its retail at $200 versus $240 if you can find the Spottswoode. Did I thoroughly enjoy this wine? YES! Is it so far superior to other wines and worth the additional price, you need to weigh your own preferences and decide.
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1/25/2014 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 100 Points
This is without a doubt the finest young Napa Cabernet that I have ever been fortunate enough to taste. The unctuous layers, that at first reveal and then retract in a way of wanting to be seen, still really expose all that's there. There's addicting aromatics that show more depth than Goethe could ever conceive: Black cherry, pencil lead, tobacco, blackberry, Oolong Tea, flower shop, peach pit and musk. The finish will continue into the next millennium and the entry is as suave as any legendary notion would allow. Alas, I am mesmerized on a plethora of levels and cannot find one simple flaw - a truly perfect wine she is. I would cellar this for as long as anyone could imagine (yet you could still enjoy this legend now, believe it or not...). Drink 2017 -.
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12/15/2013 - AlexHop wrote: 97 Points
Bottle opened a couple of hours earlier, decanted & returned to bottle. Huge expressive nose. Dark cherry, plum, black pepper. Subtle oak. Initial taste is a huge mouthfeel. Long long finish starts showing huge backbone and a little red cherry. Tasted at the winery.
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12/11/2013 - ClubTerry Likes this wine: 99 Points
This wine is a thing of beauty, easily could be 100 with a few more years in the cellar.
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12/10/2013 - dlcass Likes this wine: 96 Points
Tasted at winery; deep garnet color; delicate; subtle, licorice; soft tannins; good mouth feel.
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12/9/2013 - il_diavolo wrote: 95 Points
small sample tasted at winery in June 2013. Very dark, ink like colour. dense and primary black fruit but not one dimensional with graphite and earth finish and good tannic backbone. I didnt think this was close to RP 100, but the potential in the minerality it showed, pushed me to buy 6 for $840, which in hindsight was an OK move. Interestingly, only 2 out of the 12 in our tasting group thought it was worth buying at that price.
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12/6/2013 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 95 Points
Still quite young and primary but all ready great depth and balance. This is a towering wine which should be fabulous in 5-10 years.
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11/29/2013 - Dougak wrote: 100 Points
100pts RP, Drink 2013-2038
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11/25/2013 - choule Likes this wine: 98 Points
This needs time but an hour decant already shows the promise this wine holds. Balance, finesse, concentration and complexity. A fantastic wine.
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11/23/2013 - affordableCollector wrote: 90 Points
magenta, inky, in the color. black currant, floral, spice, mineral, blueberry, earth, on the nose. blueberry, spice, earth, chocolate, coffee, blackberry, on the palate. high acid, high tannins, on the finish.
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11/14/2013 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine: 100 Points
A truly magnificent nose, perfectly ripe fruit, ballpoint pen and nose that is only described as perfect. There are absolutely no flaws to be found from first sniff to finishing the glass. The palate is just lovely. Tannins are there and they are pretty expressive - but the wine is so young it is close to infanticide to taste it now. There is absolutely no heat and I am fully confident this beauty will turn into a white swan in due course. It is easy to be flattered by the power and elegance in this effort, as well as the astounding primary fruit. But thinking about how this wine will develop I cannot refrain from assigning it a perfect score. I see no reason not to. (Tasted in a flight with 2007 - 2010 Spottswoode)
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10/31/2013 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Just tasted a 2010 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at the winery in St. Helena. Dark purple hues turning violet at the rim and more aromatic than the Lyndenhurst Cabernet with deep, dark fruits and liqueur on the nose. The palate is rich and ultra velvety in texture with flavors of dark cherry, chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, and mild oak. Multi-dimensional and multi-layered. Finishes long with hints of salt minerals, and herbs. This is truly special and attractive. It's a classic blend in a great vintage that exhibits structure for the long haul and superb balance. I would put this just a notch lower than the 2007, but time could tell I'm wrong. Parker already did! Drink from 2018 to 2028. 96+
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10/15/2013 - wcchang wrote: 93 Points
Nices aroma of dark berries and hints of vanilla. Enough complexity. Finish is a bit tight for a wine at this price point.
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9/25/2013 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice structure. Big tannins that were not invasive. Great complexity and depth to not only the nose but the taste. This is not a 96+ wine in my opinion but a solid 92-94 point wine. I think that spottswoode went from a boutique producer to wishing they were a larger producer and it shows with their second label. Honestly most Spottswoode blows me away and while this was good it did not live up to what Spottswoode should be. Stil a great wine though.
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7/17/2013 - fdub Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great color in the glass. The nose shows classic cab cassis, dark berries, and a flash of oak. Great tight mineral definition. Palate is ripe but with a nice vein of cool flavors. Shows the year very well. Should drink great for a number of years.
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4/13/2013 - fdub Likes this wine: 95 Points
Deep dark color. The nose shows a wonderful medley of dark and red fruit. As you take in the aromas layers and layers of flavor emerge. Mint, clove, licorice form in the glass with time. The palate is wonderful and like most of the 2010s from Napa is in need of time but shows wonderful finesse and elegance. Great bottle of wine.
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3/25/2013 - drc1235 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Tasted at the winery. Has a wonderful mouth feel and flavor. Long finish. Should age beautifully. I like Spottswoode Estate Cabernet, and this is one of the best ever.
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6/26/2012 - GoBlue2002 wrote:
Honeymoon Wine Tasting; 6/25/2012-7/3/2012 (California - Napa & Sonoma Counties): Tasted at Winery. Barrel taste, 98% of complete blend. Dark purple in color, with aromas of blackberry and some oak. The tannins were beyond firm at this point. This one will be an ager for sure.
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