Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Spottswoode
The 2006 vintage is an “alive” and complex wine that is concentrated and contemplative. It is full of fruit now, though it’s easy to see that this wine has so much more to reveal. With a sturdy structure characteristic of this vintage, we opted for an additional three months of barrel ageing to encourage the flexible, supple nature of this resulting wine. A lovely, deep Cabernet Sauvignon that is luscious and fresh with youthful aromas of homemade blueberry pie and fresh-crushed brambly fruit. Black currant, espresso, ginger, almond spice and rose petals. Lively oak notes; firm, yet supple tannins: terrific structure: a deep core of blue fruit. A textural delight—creamy and lovely, with great length.
The 2006 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon is our 25th Anniversary Cabernet and is notable as being Jennifer Williams’ first vintage as our winemaker. With a wild flood on New Year’s Day of this vintage and snow through the early spring, Napa Valley was subject to late bud break and harvest. We were on the top of our game in the vineyard, and our new sorting table allowed us to treat our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes like royalty on their way to fermentation.
Wine Advocate
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, which has taken on much greater complexity and intensity since I tasted it right after bottling, is largely all Cabernet Sauvignon with just a small amount of Cabernet Franc in the blend. The owner’s daughter, Beth Novak, and her assistants, Rosemary Cakebread and Jennifer Williams, made an intelligent decision in bottling this wine later than normal to resolve some of the tannin issues, and they have certainly succeeded. This wine, which I believe will evolve for 25 or more years, has a gorgeous nose of violets, black currants, licorice, camphor, and a hint of graphite. Layered, rich, and full-bodied, the wine has an opaque purple color as well as wonderful purity and balance. It could be considered the wine world’s version of haute couture at a top address in Paris. It’s a beauty, perfectly balanced and as flawless and seamless as a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa can be. Drink it over the next 25 years.
Score: 95.
—Robert Parker,
December
2009.
Wine Spectator
Drying herb, mineral and graphite join grilled meat and dried currant in this taut, tannic, structured and backward youngster. Firmly tannic and chewy, very concentrated and tightly wound. Best from 2011 through 2018. 2,743 cases made.
Score: 92.
—James Laube,
April
30,
2010.
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
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