Spottswoode
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Outstanding. This will continue to improve for decades.
Outstanding. This will continue to improve for decades.
Sep 16th, 2022
Pretty. Lovely bottle development.
Pretty. Lovely bottle development.
Apr 26th, 2021
It’s only OK - almost structureless. I was hoping for life changing and it was closer to a life saver.
It’s only OK - almost structureless. I was hoping for life changing and it was closer to a life saver.
Sep 1st, 2019
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Napa Valley AVA, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the organically farmed Spottswoode Estate in St. Helena. The 1997 vintage was hailed as one of Napa’s finest, producing wines with concentration, elegance, and superb aging potential.
Aromas & Flavors
A bouquet of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, cassis, cedar, tobacco, and leather with a subtle backdrop of dried herbs. Secondary notes of cigar box, cocoa, and graphite have developed beautifully over time.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet refined, with mature tannins now softened into silk, balanced acidity, and a long, complex finish. Displays a harmony of fruit, spice, and earth that only comes with two decades of patient aging.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested fruit, fermented in stainless steel, then aged in French oak barrels (approx. 50–60% new). Known for its precision and restraint compared to more opulent Napa styles, Spottswoode is often likened to Left Bank Bordeaux in elegance.
Food Pairing
A perfect match for dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, mushroom ragout, or truffled pasta. Its tertiary notes also make it excellent with hard aged cheeses.
Verdict
A benchmark Napa Cabernet from a benchmark vintage. The 1997 Spottswoode shows how grace, balance, and power can coexist. At peak maturity now—drink and savor every last drop of its storied legacy.
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Napa Valley AVA, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the organically farmed Spottswoode Estate in St. Helena. The 1997 vintage was hailed as one of Napa’s finest, producing wines with concentration, elegance, and superb aging potential.
Aromas & Flavors
A bouquet of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, cassis, cedar, tobacco, and leather with a subtle backdrop of dried herbs. Secondary notes of cigar box, cocoa, and graphite have developed beautifully over time.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet refined, with mature tannins now softened into silk, balanced acidity, and a long, complex finish. Displays a harmony of fruit, spice, and earth that only comes with two decades of patient aging.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested fruit, fermented in stainless steel, then aged in French oak barrels (approx. 50–60% new). Known for its precision and restraint compared to more opulent Napa styles, Spottswoode is often likened to Left Bank Bordeaux in elegance.
Food Pairing
A perfect match for dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, mushroom ragout, or truffled pasta. Its tertiary notes also make it excellent with hard aged cheeses.
Verdict
A benchmark Napa Cabernet from a benchmark vintage. The 1997 Spottswoode shows how grace, balance, and power can coexist. At peak maturity now—drink and savor every last drop of its storied legacy.
Medium ruby quite wide ruby garnet rim , quite pale in appearance overall . Quite spicy , slightly menthol on the nose , with spice , dusty notes , red currant , red plum , sous bois , violet and tobacco hints . On the palate there is more fruit with more red currant , red plum , some cherry and sweet blackberry . There is nice fresh acidity and rounded sweet tannin that is pretty much resolved . Quite sweet red fruited and elegant, though slightly short on the finish. This is still showing well though will not improve . Now over the next 5 years
Medium ruby quite wide ruby garnet rim , quite pale in appearance overall . Quite spicy , slightly menthol on the nose , with spice , dusty notes , red currant , red plum , sous bois , violet and tobacco hints . On the palate there is more fruit with more red currant , red plum , some cherry and sweet blackberry . There is nice fresh acidity and rounded sweet tannin that is pretty much resolved . Quite sweet red fruited and elegant, though slightly short on the finish. This is still showing well though will not improve . Now over the next 5 years
Dec 25th, 2024
1996 vintage. Decanted and throwing a little sed. Tasted after two hours. Light-medium body. Missing that extra ooomph to vault this elsewhere. Fairly spicy along with lean fruit. Tannins there and, frankly, more than expected but not unwelcome. Def not improving but likely to hold steady for 4-5 more years before sliding down the bell curve. 5.15.24.
1996 vintage. Decanted and throwing a little sed. Tasted after two hours. Light-medium body. Missing that extra ooomph to vault this elsewhere. Fairly spicy along with lean fruit. Tannins there and, frankly, more than expected but not unwelcome. Def not improving but likely to hold steady for 4-5 more years before sliding down the bell curve. 5.15.24.
May 16th, 2024
Graphite pencil lead. Subtle Dark licorice.
Graphite pencil lead. Subtle Dark licorice.
Mar 2nd, 2024
Oh my gosh, this wine is next level! Decanted for 6 hours and paired with some ribeye steaks. Dare I say match made in heaven!?
Oh my gosh, this wine is next level! Decanted for 6 hours and paired with some ribeye steaks. Dare I say match made in heaven!?
Jan 8th, 2024
1/24 This 1995 lost some of its power and it needed a solid hour for the acidity to blow off but in the end it was soft and complex. Wish i had it 10 years ago. 84
1/24 This 1995 lost some of its power and it needed a solid hour for the acidity to blow off but in the end it was soft and complex. Wish i had it 10 years ago. 84
Jan 8th, 2024