Accolades
Robert Parker’s 10-Year Retrospective
The Wine Advocate
June 28, 2015, Issue 119
2005 California Cabernet Sauvignon Retrospective
This is another of the truly profound 2005 Cabernet Sauvignons. Of course, this is an historic producer, a great estate on the back streets of St. Helena that has been at the top of their game for many a year. Their wine always has a Château Margaux-like elegance and finesse, allied to pure, intense Napa fruit. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from a vineyard that was first established at the western edge of the Mayacamas foothills in 1882, has a beautiful, pure blueberry and blackcurrant liqueur-like note, subtle floral underpinnings and distant background new oak. There is a touch of minerality as well in this full-bodied, gorgeously textured and stunningly opulent and rich, yet elegant style of Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena. The alcohol is relatively modest at 14.1%. It’s certainly showing exceptionally well at present, but promises to continue to age well for 15-20 more years. 97 points
The Wine Advocate
April, 2014, Issue 212
2004 California Cabernet Sauvignon Retrospective
A warm growing cycle and torrid early September have produced high-quality wines at age ten.
An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase, and consume.
This historic estate has been on a qualitative tear of late, and their 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is, once again, the “Château Margaux of Napa Valley.” Beautiful black currant and spring flower aromas jump from the glass of this dark opaque ruby/purple-colored beauty. With gorgeous texture, stunning purity, elegance and equilibrium, with nothing out of place, this is another tour de force from Spottswoode. Despite its current accessibility, it has 15-20 years of longevity ahead of it. It is a glorious wine! 97 points
The Wine Advocate
June, 2013, Issue 207
The 2003’s sensational aromatics offer up scents of blueberries, black raspberries, currants, subtle wood spice and spring flower garden. Rich and full-bodied with exquisite purity, an ethereal elegance yet serious substance, texture and length, this is an example of great winemaking and viticulture. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have a first growth-like terroir. Still in its pre-adolescence, this beauty should age effortlessly for another quarter of a century. Bravo!
One of the most historic estates in Napa, Spottswoode, established in 1882, is located in the northwestern suburbs of St. Helena. It often reminds me of Bordeaux’s Château Margaux, although no one would confuse Spottswoode’s beautiful white, Victorian home with the majestic grandeur of the granite Château Margaux. 97+ points
The Wine Advocate
June, 2011, Issue 195
This (the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon) is a beautiful wine, although more recent vintages may ultimately prove to be even better, particularly the 2007. This blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, from one of Napa’s prestigious sites on the valley floor tucked behind the town of St. Helena, has a dense blue/purple color and a beautifully sweet nose of spring flowers intermixed with raspberry jam, blueberries and black currants. Some licorice and subtle oak are followed by a quintessentially elegant yet substantial wine with sweet tannins, medium to full body and a seamless texture. Drinkable already, the wine will continue to offer the more elegant, complex, evolved style of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon produced in 2001 for at least another 15-20 years. (95 points)
