David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Still one of the best Napa Cabernets for the money. 12 a fruity & very high yield vintage in Napa Valley.

12 is a fruit leaning vintage. It is juicy, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum pudding, some boysenberries, cedar, medium plus tannins, dry tobacco, leather, dry leaves, expresso, French barrel shavings, sandstone, dark, rich, sweet, turned earth, stems, black, rich, sweet earth, steeped tea, alluvial limestone minerals, baking spices, liquid, dark, red, purple flowers, w/ rainfall acidity and an elegant, rich, fruit driven finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.

12 a vintage to age, but not long age. Lacks the tannins to do what 13, 14 will.

Happy birthday Angela. — 9 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.3

What a treat opening this 27 year old Napa Valley Spottswoode Cabernet! A deep purple garnet color with some bricking. Nose - dark fruit and wet forest floor initially standout followed by subtle notes of blueberry dark chocolate, fennel and a touch of tobacco & spearmint. Taste - cherry and dark plum stand out giving it a luscious smooth feel. Well integrated with secondary notes of dark soil, crushed rock, espresso, cedar and a medium finish — a day ago

with Leslie, Karin and 1 other

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, and rest Petit Verdot and Malbec all SLD estate fruit, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, oak and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and currants with tobacco and herb spice. Fine smooth tannins, approachable, long finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and herb mineral character. Nice! Ok — 10 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

Classic 🥰
Dark fruits, brown spices, cedar, damp soil, sweet pipe tobacco, hot chestnuts. Soft and warm, lovely underlying freshness, smoky minerality.
Really singing today, but will go for at least another decade. — a day ago

Craig Jenest

9.3

May 25, 2024 - Amy, Vicki, Renee
With Nancy’s spinach pizza — a day ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Nice for a steak dinner at a restaurant for a reasonable price. Pop and pour Zinfandel blend. Deep color, fruit and spice aroma. Palate is heavily red Zinfandel with dark berries, plum, and spice - pepper with a hint of nutmeg and vanilla. Balanced tannins and acidity. Short but pleasant finish. — 4 days ago

Ed Chin

9.4

I don’t know why it’s taken so long to try this bottling. I have missed out all these years. Clean purity of fruit mild depth at this early age and just plain exciting. Definitely worth the wait — 22 days ago

Austin Hohnke

9.2

Outstanding juice that’s in a great place but has distance for further cellaring. Deftly balanced even at 14.5% abv. Eucalyptus. Tobacco leaf. With New York strip steaks. — 5 days ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Just a baby. Raspberry compote. Blackberry, black currant, licorice, and mocha. Acid, tannin, and fruit working in beautiful harmony.
Alcohol stands out at 14.6% and it’s expensive, which both drop the rating. Organic farming. — 16 days ago

Mike Evans

9.1

A little muted even after having been double decanted 4 hours earlier, it really needs more cellar time to unfurl. — 18 days ago