Benchmark Wines by

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

WA95
In 2003, production jumped up to 3,700 cases, with the blend identical to so many other vintages with 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. This was a year where there was some freaky heat spells, but this wine has come through nicely. Deep bluish purple with notes of blackberry and cassis and charcoal followed by a soft, velvety textured, opulent and full-bodied wine that seems to be approaching full maturity. It is interesting, this wine is far more evolved, and on a faster evolutionary track than the 2001 or 2002. Nevertheless it is a beauty, loaded, layered and impressive. It must be one of the top 2003s. Drink it over the next 20-some years.
WSM94
The Spottswoode estate celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, and its latest release is a fitting tribute to the vineyard on the property first planted in 1916 by the Spotts family. The Novak family bought Spottswoode in 1972 and replanted the vines. Tony Soter made the first Spottswoode Cabernet in 1982; this current vintage was made by Rosemary Cakebread. Her '03 is lovely, a wine of tremendous richness packed with black currant flavor. It's smooth and lush, a sleek Napa Valley red, destined to be a classic.

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