2016 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
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Tasting notes
From the year in which Mary, Beth Novak’s mother, died. Lifted nose. Sweet, minerally, round and really gorgeous on the palate. A very celebrated vintage. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Still quite dark-hued, youthful and primary, Spottswoode's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon features loads of powerful black cherries and cassis. It's medium to full-bodied and nicely structured, with a bit more of an acid edge than some vintages, which beautifully complements the ripe, supple tannins and serves to lengthen and freshen the long, licorice-tinged finish. While approachable now, it should drink well for at least another 15 years.
Also perfect, yet in a very different style, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate can be thought of as mix of the 2010 and 2015. Classic Cabernet notes of green tobacco, pure cassis, sappy flowers, crushed stone, and cedar all emerge from the glass, and it’s full-bodied, with a layered, multi-dimensional texture, building tannins, and one blockbuster of a finish. This continues to show incredibly consistency and I’ve been lucky enough to have multiple bottles, all of which have topped out my scale. This is unquestionably a legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that will hit maturity in about a decade or so and keep for 40-50 years.
Spottswoode's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is absolutely gorgeous. Medium in body, translucent and super-expressive, the 2016 is sublime, not to mention on the understated side of things for the year. Dark red cherry, red plum, mocha and espresso add lovely shades of nuance. The 2016 is racy, but also clearly holding back much of its ultimate potential. I imagine the 2016 will always be a wine of finesse, first and foremost. (AG) 96+
About the producer
Spottswoode is one of those rare Napa estates whose reputation rests less on volume or spectacle than on persistent exactitude. Set on the western edge of St Helena, where the Mayacamas rise and afternoon breezes temper the valley’s warmth, the vineyard occupies a favoured pocket of the appellation.