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Spottswoode

The Winery

Spottswoode

Established in 1882, Spottswoode is a historic, family-owned estate vineyard and winery located on the western edge of St. Helena in Napa Valley. Mary Weber Novak and her husband purchased the estate in 1972. After Jack died unexpectedly in 1977, Mary carried out their shared dream, and released Spottswoode’s first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate’s founding.

Now stewarded by second generation sisters, Beth Novak Milliken and Lindy Novak, Spottswoode is dedicated to producing a few wines in very limited quantities: Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Lyndenhurst. The winery's goal is to produce exceptional, well-balanced, structured wines that exhibit elegance, consistency, and the ability to age well.

Among the first to introduce organic farming practices in the Napa Valley in 1985, Spottswoode has been CCOF certified since 1992. The 40-acre Spottswoode Estate Vineyard is an ideal terroir for growing wine grapes. Situated on the apex of the Sulphur Creek fan, the alluvial soils comprised primarily of sandy clay loam provide superb drainage. The gap between the Mayacamas Range and Spring Mountain admits cooling maritime breezes that temper the sun’s heat, creating an ideal microclimate for winegrowing.

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Tasting Notes

WA90
The last of the Pam Starr vintages, with production now dropping to just over 4,000 cases from the high of 5,800 in 1991, the 1996 is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. A hot year, again, with plenty of heat spikes, produced a more one-dimensional style of Spottswoode, but with a dense ruby/purple color. Notes of black and red currants, earth, menthol and cedar. The wine is medium to full-bodied, big, dense, slightly rustic, but ripe and chewy. I doubt it will develop much charm and finesse, as the great vintages do, but it is certainly solid, mouthfilling and savory. Drink it over the next decade. Rating: 90+

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