Spottswoode
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Napa Valley AVA, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the organically farmed Spottswoode Estate in St. Helena. The 1997 vintage was hailed as one of Napa’s finest, producing wines with concentration, elegance, and superb aging potential.
Aromas & Flavors
A bouquet of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, cassis, cedar, tobacco, and leather with a subtle backdrop of dried herbs. Secondary notes of cigar box, cocoa, and graphite have developed beautifully over time.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet refined, with mature tannins now softened into silk, balanced acidity, and a long, complex finish. Displays a harmony of fruit, spice, and earth that only comes with two decades of patient aging.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested fruit, fermented in stainless steel, then aged in French oak barrels (approx. 50–60% new). Known for its precision and restraint compared to more opulent Napa styles, Spottswoode is often likened to Left Bank Bordeaux in elegance.
Food Pairing
A perfect match for dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, mushroom ragout, or truffled pasta. Its tertiary notes also make it excellent with hard aged cheeses.
Verdict
A benchmark Napa Cabernet from a benchmark vintage. The 1997 Spottswoode shows how grace, balance, and power can coexist. At peak maturity now—drink and savor every last drop of its storied legacy.
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Napa Valley AVA, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the organically farmed Spottswoode Estate in St. Helena. The 1997 vintage was hailed as one of Napa’s finest, producing wines with concentration, elegance, and superb aging potential.
Aromas & Flavors
A bouquet of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, cassis, cedar, tobacco, and leather with a subtle backdrop of dried herbs. Secondary notes of cigar box, cocoa, and graphite have developed beautifully over time.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet refined, with mature tannins now softened into silk, balanced acidity, and a long, complex finish. Displays a harmony of fruit, spice, and earth that only comes with two decades of patient aging.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested fruit, fermented in stainless steel, then aged in French oak barrels (approx. 50–60% new). Known for its precision and restraint compared to more opulent Napa styles, Spottswoode is often likened to Left Bank Bordeaux in elegance.
Food Pairing
A perfect match for dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, mushroom ragout, or truffled pasta. Its tertiary notes also make it excellent with hard aged cheeses.
Verdict
A benchmark Napa Cabernet from a benchmark vintage. The 1997 Spottswoode shows how grace, balance, and power can coexist. At peak maturity now—drink and savor every last drop of its storied legacy.
1997 vintage. Decanted from magnum and first tasted after open for 4 hours. Great full color still along with light body. Plenty of delicate fruit cradled by focus and concentration. If from a standard 750ml format, likely a run of 3-4 more years at this point of drinking pleasure before a drop-off in the experience.
1997 vintage. Decanted from magnum and first tasted after open for 4 hours. Great full color still along with light body. Plenty of delicate fruit cradled by focus and concentration. If from a standard 750ml format, likely a run of 3-4 more years at this point of drinking pleasure before a drop-off in the experience.
Feb 4th, 2023
No decanting . So ready ! … perfect :)
No decanting . So ready ! … perfect :)
Jun 29th, 2022