The 2005 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning bottle in the July Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was decanted for several hours at cellar temperature and served with steaks on a warm Summer night in Seattle
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. 14.1% ABV. Pretty nose of black fruits, scorched earth and leather. Full bodied, plush and concentrated. Dark fruits in spades. Blackberry, cassis, currants and cocoa on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Fifteen years of age but still showing very few secondary characteristics. More upside in the years to come. Drink over the next 5-7 years.
My rating: 95 points.
The 2017 version of Spottswoode is currently available for a little over $200 per bottle.
I blogged about Spottswoode previously in Overlooked Wines from Great Producers.