2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Spottswoode explodes from the glass with bombastic notes of crushed blackcurrants, fresh blackberries and wild blueberries with hints of cardamom, lilacs, incense and fragrant earth, leading into wafts of pencil shavings and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, elegant and yet so, so intense, it has layers of bright crunchy fruit and mineral sparks galore, framed by exquisitely ripe, finely pixelated tannins, finishing very long and energetic. Wowsers. 100 points (November 5, 2020)

Jebdunnuck.com, Jeb Dunnuck

One of the wines of the vintage, as well as a legendary Napa Cabernet that will compete with anything out there, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals a deep purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of pure crème de cassis and blackberry-scented fruits intermixed with lots tobacco leaf, lead pencil, spice, and hints of flowers. Reminding me of the 2016 with its purity as well as its balance, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture, and a blockbuster of a finish. Based on 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, this is a wine you don’t want to miss! It’s going to take 7-8 years to hit its early drinking plateau and cruise for 30-40 years in cold cellars. 100 points (January 28, 2021)

Vinous, Antonio Galloni

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon soars out of the glass with stunning intensity. A powerful, regal wine, the 2018 possesses off the charts richness and layers of flavor that build into a dizzying crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures. Bittersweet chocolate, mocha, spice and licorice accents are laced into a core of dark red cherry and plum fruit. The 2018 is a magical wine. That’s all there is to it. 99 points (March 4, 2021)

Wine Spectator, James Molesworth

Very pure, with a piercing edge to its racy cassis, plum and blackberry coulis flavors, this moves along authoritatively while staying relatively light on its feet, with violet, savory and iron threads lining the mouthwatering finish. Beautifully rendered wine that should age gracefully. Best from 2022 through 2040. 96 points (October 2021)

RobbReport.com, Sara Schneider

With a beguilingly complex nose – you’ll find layers of purple blossoms, cassis, blackberry and licorice, with hints of graphite and tobacco leaf – this vintage is worthy of the legend that Spottswoode Estate has cultivated. The palate is vibrant with black raspberry and cherry, balanced against fine-grained (but cellar-worthy) tannins. (August 8, 2021)

Jamessuckling.com, James Suckling

This has a polished nose of black cherry, blueberry pie, vanilla and crushed gravel. Evolves to charred wood and dried lavender. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm, sleek tannins. There’s freshness to the finish with hints of blackcurrant leaf. Structured and still tight. Try from 2023. 94 points (January 27, 2021)

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