The 2001 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning bottle in the June installment of Pick My Next Bottle. I decanted the wine for an hour and paired it with pan fried sirloin steaks.
Spottswoode is a family owned winegrowing estate located on the western edge of St. Helena in the Napa Valley. The 46 acre estate, established in 1882, is distinguished by the historic Victorian home depicted on the label. Its entrance is graced by classic formal gardens, while the vineyard stretches behind to the Mayacamas Mountains.
The Spottswoode Estate was bought by Jack and Mary Novak in 1972. The first Cabernet Sauvignon was produced in 1982. Spottswoode also makes an exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, a second Cabernet named Lydenhurst and a Rhone blend known as Field Book.
Dark crimson in color and starting to show some bricking at the edge of the glass. 14.1% ABV. Cedar, graphite and black fruits on the nose. Power and elegance at the same time. The classic iron fist in a velvet glove. Black currants, cassis, tobacco, leather and cherries on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long with prominent tannins. As close to Left Bank Bordeaux as Napa Cabernet Sauvignon gets. Great showing! Drink over the next 3-5 years.
My rating: 95 points.
The 2012 vintage will be released early next year. I will order a few bottles, but at $145 per, the wine is no longer the value it was 5-7 years ago. The 2010 received 100 points from the Wine Advocate. Available at the winery via the mailing list and quite often at retail.
I blogged about Spottswoode previously in Overlooked Wines from Great Producers.
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Nice review, Tom. I’m going to get in on the Spottswoode bandwagon immediately. Can hardly wait to try some.
Thanks Peter. I think Spottswoode will be right in your sweet spot. Let me know.