From the Winery: Situated on the western edge of St. Helena in Napa Valley, the Spottswoode Estate terroir is ideal for winegrowing. The alluvial clay loam from the Sulphur Creek fan provides superb drainage while cool maritime breezes passing between Spring Mountain and the Mayacamas range allow the fruit to ripen evenly.
Originally established in 1882, the Spottswoode Estate has a distinguished history in Napa Valley. A decade after moving here, founder Mary Novak produced the first Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982. We have farmed our grapes organically since 1985, and our vineyard was certified organic (CCOF) in 1992. Now stewarded by second-generation sisters, Beth Novak Milliken and Lindy Novak, our forty-two acres are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
At Spottswoode, grape growing and winemaking are intimately linked. In addition to the health and resilience organics and biodynamics have brought to our vineyard, the individual attention given to each block contributes to the consistent quality and unique characteristics of our wines.
Winemaker Notes: Aromatic and expressive, the 2018 vintage is a wine of great beauty and promise. Notes of black cherry, bergamot, red raspberry, and plum encapsulate a sturdy core of powdery tannins and vibrant acidity. Hints of rose and citrus blossom permeate its youthful and primary aromas. This is a wine crafted with freshness, elegance, and power that will generously reward for years to come.
(The Press They Have Published):
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)
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’s Insider Weekly, James Molesworth
“A First Look at Our Editors’ Most Exciting Wines”
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. 96 points (August 4, 2021)
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)