2019 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 1.5 ltr (14.5%) |
| Drink window | 2023 - 2045 |
Low Stock
Only 3 left
Description
Located on the western edge of St. Helena in Napa Valley, the Spottswoode estate terroir is ideal for viticulture. The alluvial clay loam of the Sulphur Creek range provides excellent drainage while cool ocean breezes flow between Spring Mountain and the
Mayacamas range allows the fruit to ripen evenly. Originally established in 1882, Spottswoode Estate has an impressive history in Napa Valley. Managed by second-generation sisters Beth Novak Milliken and Lindy Novak, the 42 acres are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc.
The gorgeous 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is already drinking beautifully, with lovely aromas of dark cherry and cassis fruit. Surprisingly supple with lush tannins framing the abundant fruit on the medium to full palate. Impeccably balanced, with tremendous length on the cool, refreshing finish, it manages to showcase the warmth and generosity of the site and vintage without going over the top.
FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Pick up in Checkout page. We are almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
Wine Advocate , Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc and 4.0% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of swirling to unlock the most gorgeous perfume of bright black and red cherries, fresh blueberries and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of roses, cinnamon stick and orange peel. Medium-bodied, elegant and tightly wound, the palate shimmers with SO MUCH energy, featuring layer upon layer of floral, savory and crunchy black fruit notes, finishing long and minerally. This is a remarkably poised, apparently effortless beauty that cannot fail to make your jaw drop. Forget it in the cellar for a good 3-5 years, at least, to allow all those nuances to fully emerge and then savor it over the next 30 years+. 100 points (November 30, 2021)
JebDunnuck.com , Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is another incredible wine from this reference point estate in the Valley. Based on 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot that was raised in 65% new French oak, it has that classic Spottswoode refinement and elegance as well as medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, tobacco, sandalwood, and flowers. I don't think this hits the heights of the 2013 or 2016, but it shines for its flawless balance, remarkable purity, and great finish. It's going to have 30 years of prime drinking. 97 points (May 4, 2022)
Wine Enthusiast , Jim Gordon
Best of the Year 2022
California's Best
Alluring aromas of cedar, dark plums, black currants and tobacco lead to generous and finely spiced flavors including black cherries, black currants, mint and a hint of cocoa. Fine-grained tannins and a full but not heavy body frame the complex flavors beautifully. Best from 2028–2040. 97 points (December 2022)
Vinous , Antonio Galloni
A bright, effusive wine, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is all finesse. Bright aromatics, vibrant red berry fruit and mid-weight structure give the 2019 its charming, sensual personality. I am surprised to see how open the 2019 is at this stage. I imagine it might close down a bit post-bottling, but the 2019 has superb balance to go with a real feeling of openness, at least today. Red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, lavender and sweet spice shape the inviting finish. 96 points (January 2022)
Jamessuckling.com , James Suckling
Ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, cocoa powder, dried thyme and walnut husk on the nose. It's full-bodied, chewy and compact with firm tannins and a broad, muscular palate. Structured, polished and well balanced. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2024. 96 points (November 5, 2021)
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Spottswoode |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2023 |
| Drinking till | 2045 |
| Alcohol % | 14.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 98 |
| James Suckling rating | 96 |
| Vinous rating | 96 |
| Tasting Profiles | Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 98
Reviewed by:
Joe Czerwinski
Release Price:
$245
Drink Date:
2022 - 2040
The gorgeous 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is already drinking beautifully, with incredible waves of black cherry and cassis fruit that have completely absorbed the roughly two-thirds new oak. On this occasion, the wine came across as rather forward and supple, with lush tannins framing ample fruit on the medium to full-bodied palate. Impeccably balanced, with tremendous length on the cool, refreshing finish, it manages to showcase the warmth and generous nature of the site and vintage without going over the top.
This was my first visit to Spottswoode, an impeccably manicured and historic property on the western outskirts of St. Helena that dates back to 1882. The modern-day Spottswoode story dates back to 1972, when Mary and Jack Novak moved north from Southern California and purchased the house and 30 acres of adjacent property. Fifteen adjoining acres were added the following year, and planting grapevines commenced, taking place in 1973 and 1975. Today, there are 37.5 planted acres, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the first few years, grapes were sold to other producers, but Tony Soter came on board in 1982 as the founding winemaker. He was succeeded by Pam Starr (1992–1996), Rosemary Cakebread (1997–2005) and Jen Williams (2006–2009). The winery was built in 1999; prior to that, the wines were made offsite, with vineyard management brought in-house in 2003. The vineyards have been farmed organically since 1985 and certified organic since 1992. Replanting took place in stages, with portions of the vineyard replaced in 1991, 1993, 1997 and 1998. Biodynamic principles are applied (Demeter-certified), with great attention paid to regenerative soil practices, including rotating cover crops. Along the edges of the vineyards and even embedded within are several insectariums of flowering plants, to promote biodiversity, plus nesting boxes for swallows, bluebirds and birds of prey. The first Certified B Corporation winery in Napa, Spottswoode has been recognized with the Robert Parker Green Emblem for sustainability since it was first awarded.
Current winemaker and vineyard manager Aron Weinkauf joined the team in 2006 and took over winemaking in 2011, so it was interesting to get his thoughts on an 11-year vertical of the estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which was presented blind by Weinkauf and Beth Novak Milliken, the winery's president and CEO. Not knowing which vintage was which made it impossible to be biased by vintage reputation, but certain wines still stood out. I found the 2013 disappointing for its closed, overly tannic nature, while Weinkauf said, "It's always had more tannins than any other vintage. This is probably the best it's tasted in years." As I've tasted better bottles in the past, owners of it may want to let it sleep several more years before pulling a cork and hope that initial reviews were more accurate than this impression. The other slight disappointment was the 2017, which again seemed less richly fruited than normal and slightly green and astringent. I suspect it's simply at an awkward stage in its evolution.
On the positive side, probably most notable was the brilliant showing of the yet-to-bottled 2020 (scheduled to occur near the end of August 2022). Picking wrapped up the day before the Glass Fire started, said Weinkauf. All the 2020 vintage talk has focused on the risk of smoke taint, but this beautiful wine is the product of a fairly warm vintage, one without dramatic heat spikes. The 2011, from a cool, much-maligned vintage, showed tremendous finesse and complexity. My favorite of the bottled wines was the 2012, a gloriously seductive and complete effort that is drinking well now, and it should continue to do so for another two decades.
In addition, we tasted two vintages of the Sauvignon Blanc, which combines fruit from Sonoma and Napa, and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst, which includes approximately 40% estate fruit and 60% purchased fruit, largely from growers in St. Helena, Oak Knoll and Atlas Peak. That wine was previously reviewed on November 30, 2021 (93 points), and as my impressions were largely consistent with that review, I've not bothered to repeat it.
In summary, although I found more vintage variation among the estate Cabernet than my predecessor here at RPWA, I think some of that can be attributed to the format of the blind vertical tasting, which, in retrospect, seemed to emphasize the differences between the wines. I should point out that despite that, there is a strong, continuous stylistic thread woven throughout. The wines emphasize balance and elegance over sheer power and ripeness, with restrained alcohol levels, silky tannins and a complex but subtle interweaving of gentle herbal nuances with fruit that ranges from cherry and black cherry through cassis. Having participated on two occasions in the Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting, where the Spottswoode wine has been presented blind in the company of 19 other world-class efforts, I will unequivocally state that Spottswoode belongs on that same stage with such international luminaries as Ornellaia, Cos d'Estournel and Cullen's Diana Madeline.
Published: Sep 15, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
96
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 256
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley St. Helena 2019
Sunday, Oct 17, 2021
Color
Red
Country
United States
Region
California
Vintage
2019
Ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, cocoa powder, dried thyme and walnut husk on the nose. It’s full-bodied, chewy and compact with firm tannins and a broad, muscular palate. Structured, polished and well balanced. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2024.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96
Drinking Window
2027 - 2049
From: The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernets: A Deep Dive (Jan 2022)
A bright, effusive wine, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is all finesse. Bright aromatics, vibrant red berry fruit and mid-weight structure give the 2019 its charming, sensual personality. I am surprised to see how open the 2019 is at this stage. I imagine it might close down a bit post-bottling, but the 2019 has superb balance to go with a real feeling of openness, at least today. Red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, lavender and sweet spice shape the inviting finish.
- By Antonio Galloni on October 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
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Wijnhuis
Founded in 1882, Spottswoode Estate is distinguished by the pre-Prohibition Victorian home depicted on our wine label. Spottswoode was baptized in 1910 by Mrs. Albert Spotts and later acquired by Mary and Jack Novak in 1972. Mary released Spottswoode's first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate was founded.
Today, Mary's daughter Beth Novak Milliken manages the winery and daughter Lindy Novak is the winery's marketing ambassador. Every year Spottswoode releases an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc. In addition, Spottswoode produces a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Lyndenhurst, a double appellation Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, and a limited edition Field Book Syrah. Committed to producing wines with integrity that faithfully reflect their grape origins, Spottswoode wines are best known for their refined elegance, balance and classic structure.
Our family has been growing wine grapes on our historic Spottswoode estate since 1972 and making our own wines since 1982. As custodians of our land, we strive for an elegant, balanced and age-appropriate style that captures the character of the vintage and the complexity of our legendary estate vineyard.
Spottswoode Estate in Napa Valley dates back to 1882, but it wasn't really until 1972 when Jack and Mary Novak took over the historic St. Helena estate. The qualities of the wines then began to reach the top level. Some even argue that their wine adventure and success came about by accident. The fact is, however, that they wanted a more rural life for their family, which consisted of two adults and five children. So they moved from San Diego to Spottswoode Estate and planted Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the estate's vineyards. They had now become winemakers, selling their Cabernet Sauvignon and Saugvignon Blanc to Heitz, Duckhorn, Robert Mondavi and Caymus. All very iconic names in California's wine mecca.
After Jack's death in 1977, Mary devoted herself to winemaking and would become one of the foremost winemakers in Napa Valley. Especially when she chose to produce her own Cabernet Sauvignon wine from the spectacular Spottswoode vineyards. In 1982 she hired winemaker Tony Soter to help her make high quality wine. The rest is beautiful history wrapped in high scores.
Located on the western edge of St. Helena at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, Spottswoode's terroir is ideal for growing fine wine grapes. The alluvial clay loam of the Sulfur Creek fan provides excellent drainage, while the cool sea breeze passing through the gap between Spring Mountain and the Mayacamas Mountains slowly ripens the fruit.
The forty-two hectares are mainly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, with small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc. They have been growing grapes organically since 1985 and the vineyard was certified organic (CCOF) in 1992. The roles of winemaking and vineyard management are integrated at Spottswoode, and the individual attention paid to each vineyard block contributes to the wines' consistent quality and unique characteristics.
Located on the western edge of St. Helena in Napa Valley, the Spottswoode estate terroir is ideal for viticulture. The alluvial clay loam of the Sulphur Creek range provides excellent drainage while cool ocean breezes flow between Spring Mountain and the
Mayacamas range allows the fruit to ripen evenly. Originally established in 1882, Spottswoode Estate has an impressive history in Napa Valley. Managed by second-generation sisters Beth Novak Milliken and Lindy Novak, the 42 acres are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc.
The gorgeous 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is already drinking beautifully, with lovely aromas of dark cherry and cassis fruit. Surprisingly supple with lush tannins framing the abundant fruit on the medium to full palate. Impeccably balanced, with tremendous length on the cool, refreshing finish, it manages to showcase the warmth and generosity of the site and vintage without going over the top.
FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Pick up in Checkout page. We are almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
Wine Advocate , Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc and 4.0% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of swirling to unlock the most gorgeous perfume of bright black and red cherries, fresh blueberries and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of roses, cinnamon stick and orange peel. Medium-bodied, elegant and tightly wound, the palate shimmers with SO MUCH energy, featuring layer upon layer of floral, savory and crunchy black fruit notes, finishing long and minerally. This is a remarkably poised, apparently effortless beauty that cannot fail to make your jaw drop. Forget it in the cellar for a good 3-5 years, at least, to allow all those nuances to fully emerge and then savor it over the next 30 years+. 100 points (November 30, 2021)
JebDunnuck.com , Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is another incredible wine from this reference point estate in the Valley. Based on 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot that was raised in 65% new French oak, it has that classic Spottswoode refinement and elegance as well as medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, tobacco, sandalwood, and flowers. I don't think this hits the heights of the 2013 or 2016, but it shines for its flawless balance, remarkable purity, and great finish. It's going to have 30 years of prime drinking. 97 points (May 4, 2022)
Wine Enthusiast , Jim Gordon
Best of the Year 2022
California's Best
Alluring aromas of cedar, dark plums, black currants and tobacco lead to generous and finely spiced flavors including black cherries, black currants, mint and a hint of cocoa. Fine-grained tannins and a full but not heavy body frame the complex flavors beautifully. Best from 2028–2040. 97 points (December 2022)
Vinous , Antonio Galloni
A bright, effusive wine, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is all finesse. Bright aromatics, vibrant red berry fruit and mid-weight structure give the 2019 its charming, sensual personality. I am surprised to see how open the 2019 is at this stage. I imagine it might close down a bit post-bottling, but the 2019 has superb balance to go with a real feeling of openness, at least today. Red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, lavender and sweet spice shape the inviting finish. 96 points (January 2022)
Jamessuckling.com , James Suckling
Ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, cocoa powder, dried thyme and walnut husk on the nose. It's full-bodied, chewy and compact with firm tannins and a broad, muscular palate. Structured, polished and well balanced. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2024. 96 points (November 5, 2021)
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Spottswoode |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2023 |
| Drinking till | 2045 |
| Alcohol % | 14.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 98 |
| James Suckling rating | 96 |
| Vinous rating | 96 |
| Tasting Profiles | Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 98
Reviewed by:
Joe Czerwinski
Release Price:
$245
Drink Date:
2022 - 2040
The gorgeous 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is already drinking beautifully, with incredible waves of black cherry and cassis fruit that have completely absorbed the roughly two-thirds new oak. On this occasion, the wine came across as rather forward and supple, with lush tannins framing ample fruit on the medium to full-bodied palate. Impeccably balanced, with tremendous length on the cool, refreshing finish, it manages to showcase the warmth and generous nature of the site and vintage without going over the top.
This was my first visit to Spottswoode, an impeccably manicured and historic property on the western outskirts of St. Helena that dates back to 1882. The modern-day Spottswoode story dates back to 1972, when Mary and Jack Novak moved north from Southern California and purchased the house and 30 acres of adjacent property. Fifteen adjoining acres were added the following year, and planting grapevines commenced, taking place in 1973 and 1975. Today, there are 37.5 planted acres, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the first few years, grapes were sold to other producers, but Tony Soter came on board in 1982 as the founding winemaker. He was succeeded by Pam Starr (1992–1996), Rosemary Cakebread (1997–2005) and Jen Williams (2006–2009). The winery was built in 1999; prior to that, the wines were made offsite, with vineyard management brought in-house in 2003. The vineyards have been farmed organically since 1985 and certified organic since 1992. Replanting took place in stages, with portions of the vineyard replaced in 1991, 1993, 1997 and 1998. Biodynamic principles are applied (Demeter-certified), with great attention paid to regenerative soil practices, including rotating cover crops. Along the edges of the vineyards and even embedded within are several insectariums of flowering plants, to promote biodiversity, plus nesting boxes for swallows, bluebirds and birds of prey. The first Certified B Corporation winery in Napa, Spottswoode has been recognized with the Robert Parker Green Emblem for sustainability since it was first awarded.
Current winemaker and vineyard manager Aron Weinkauf joined the team in 2006 and took over winemaking in 2011, so it was interesting to get his thoughts on an 11-year vertical of the estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which was presented blind by Weinkauf and Beth Novak Milliken, the winery's president and CEO. Not knowing which vintage was which made it impossible to be biased by vintage reputation, but certain wines still stood out. I found the 2013 disappointing for its closed, overly tannic nature, while Weinkauf said, "It's always had more tannins than any other vintage. This is probably the best it's tasted in years." As I've tasted better bottles in the past, owners of it may want to let it sleep several more years before pulling a cork and hope that initial reviews were more accurate than this impression. The other slight disappointment was the 2017, which again seemed less richly fruited than normal and slightly green and astringent. I suspect it's simply at an awkward stage in its evolution.
On the positive side, probably most notable was the brilliant showing of the yet-to-bottled 2020 (scheduled to occur near the end of August 2022). Picking wrapped up the day before the Glass Fire started, said Weinkauf. All the 2020 vintage talk has focused on the risk of smoke taint, but this beautiful wine is the product of a fairly warm vintage, one without dramatic heat spikes. The 2011, from a cool, much-maligned vintage, showed tremendous finesse and complexity. My favorite of the bottled wines was the 2012, a gloriously seductive and complete effort that is drinking well now, and it should continue to do so for another two decades.
In addition, we tasted two vintages of the Sauvignon Blanc, which combines fruit from Sonoma and Napa, and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst, which includes approximately 40% estate fruit and 60% purchased fruit, largely from growers in St. Helena, Oak Knoll and Atlas Peak. That wine was previously reviewed on November 30, 2021 (93 points), and as my impressions were largely consistent with that review, I've not bothered to repeat it.
In summary, although I found more vintage variation among the estate Cabernet than my predecessor here at RPWA, I think some of that can be attributed to the format of the blind vertical tasting, which, in retrospect, seemed to emphasize the differences between the wines. I should point out that despite that, there is a strong, continuous stylistic thread woven throughout. The wines emphasize balance and elegance over sheer power and ripeness, with restrained alcohol levels, silky tannins and a complex but subtle interweaving of gentle herbal nuances with fruit that ranges from cherry and black cherry through cassis. Having participated on two occasions in the Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting, where the Spottswoode wine has been presented blind in the company of 19 other world-class efforts, I will unequivocally state that Spottswoode belongs on that same stage with such international luminaries as Ornellaia, Cos d'Estournel and Cullen's Diana Madeline.
Published: Sep 15, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
96
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 256
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley St. Helena 2019
Sunday, Oct 17, 2021
Color
Red
Country
United States
Region
California
Vintage
2019
Ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, cocoa powder, dried thyme and walnut husk on the nose. It’s full-bodied, chewy and compact with firm tannins and a broad, muscular palate. Structured, polished and well balanced. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2024.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96
Drinking Window
2027 - 2049
From: The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernets: A Deep Dive (Jan 2022)
A bright, effusive wine, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is all finesse. Bright aromatics, vibrant red berry fruit and mid-weight structure give the 2019 its charming, sensual personality. I am surprised to see how open the 2019 is at this stage. I imagine it might close down a bit post-bottling, but the 2019 has superb balance to go with a real feeling of openness, at least today. Red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, lavender and sweet spice shape the inviting finish.
- By Antonio Galloni on October 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Founded in 1882, Spottswoode Estate is distinguished by the pre-Prohibition Victorian home depicted on our wine label. Spottswoode was baptized in 1910 by Mrs. Albert Spotts and later acquired by Mary and Jack Novak in 1972. Mary released Spottswoode's first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate was founded.
Today, Mary's daughter Beth Novak Milliken manages the winery and daughter Lindy Novak is the winery's marketing ambassador. Every year Spottswoode releases an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc. In addition, Spottswoode produces a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Lyndenhurst, a double appellation Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, and a limited edition Field Book Syrah. Committed to producing wines with integrity that faithfully reflect their grape origins, Spottswoode wines are best known for their refined elegance, balance and classic structure.
Our family has been growing wine grapes on our historic Spottswoode estate since 1972 and making our own wines since 1982. As custodians of our land, we strive for an elegant, balanced and age-appropriate style that captures the character of the vintage and the complexity of our legendary estate vineyard.
Spottswoode Estate in Napa Valley dates back to 1882, but it wasn't really until 1972 when Jack and Mary Novak took over the historic St. Helena estate. The qualities of the wines then began to reach the top level. Some even argue that their wine adventure and success came about by accident. The fact is, however, that they wanted a more rural life for their family, which consisted of two adults and five children. So they moved from San Diego to Spottswoode Estate and planted Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the estate's vineyards. They had now become winemakers, selling their Cabernet Sauvignon and Saugvignon Blanc to Heitz, Duckhorn, Robert Mondavi and Caymus. All very iconic names in California's wine mecca.
After Jack's death in 1977, Mary devoted herself to winemaking and would become one of the foremost winemakers in Napa Valley. Especially when she chose to produce her own Cabernet Sauvignon wine from the spectacular Spottswoode vineyards. In 1982 she hired winemaker Tony Soter to help her make high quality wine. The rest is beautiful history wrapped in high scores.
Located on the western edge of St. Helena at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, Spottswoode's terroir is ideal for growing fine wine grapes. The alluvial clay loam of the Sulfur Creek fan provides excellent drainage, while the cool sea breeze passing through the gap between Spring Mountain and the Mayacamas Mountains slowly ripens the fruit.
The forty-two hectares are mainly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, with small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc. They have been growing grapes organically since 1985 and the vineyard was certified organic (CCOF) in 1992. The roles of winemaking and vineyard management are integrated at Spottswoode, and the individual attention paid to each vineyard block contributes to the wines' consistent quality and unique characteristics.