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.
This bottle was brought to Geoffrey’s a fabulous restaurant on the Malibu coast. Corkage was $35.
Purple in color. 14.1% ABV. Stunning nose of dark fruits, licorice, leather and graphite. Concentrated and polished with copious lush fruits. The texture is exquisite. Black currants, cassis, plums and tobacco on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long with silky tannins in spades. This is drinking beautifully now and should continue do so for another 5-7 years.
My rating: 96 points.
The 2019 version of Spottswoode is currently available for around $225 per bottle.
I blogged about Spottswoode previously in Overlooked Wines from Great Producers.