{"product_id":"2018-spottswoode-cabernet-sauvignon","title":"2018 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon is a benchmark Napa Valley Cabernet from one of St. Helena’s most storied estate vineyards. Combining richness, precision and poise, it showcases the classic Spottswoode style: powerful yet impeccably balanced, with lift and elegance rather than heaviness. From a highly regarded vintage and a historic organic estate, this is a collector-worthy wine that will reward both patience and immediate enjoyment.\n\nWhat sets this Cabernet apart is its seamless integration of ripe dark fruit, floral perfume and refined structure, all shaped by the cool, western edge of St. Helena and its exceptional alluvial soils. Spottswoode’s history dates back to 1882, and under the stewardship of second-generation sisters Beth Novak Milliken and Lindy Novak, the estate has become one of Napa Valley’s most respected producers of ageworthy, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2018 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep, saturated garnet with an inky core and a vibrant, youthful rim. Swirling reveals beautiful legs and a sense of density that hints at the wine’s concentration.\n\nThe nose is complex and expressive, layering aromas of cassis, blackcurrant and black cherry with violets and lavender, graphite, and a touch of dark chocolate. Subtle notes of cedar, cigar box, anise and Christmas spices emerge with air, alongside hints of potpourri and crushed rock.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, polished and energetic rather than heavy. Pure blackcurrant, black cherry and plum fruit are interwoven with savory tones of tobacco leaf, licorice, and cocoa, supported by a fine, chalky mineral edge. The tannins are firm yet velvety and beautifully woven into the wine’s core, giving both grip and finesse. There is a cooling, lively acidity that lifts the dark fruit and keeps the wine fresh and focused, leading to a long, persistent finish with a soft, dusty, almost clay-like texture.\n\nThe 2018 vintage has excellent structure and balance, making this Cabernet Sauvignon an outstanding candidate for cellaring. It is already approachable with decanting, but will continue to develop greater aromatic complexity and silkier texture over the next 10–20 years, and likely beyond in optimal conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpottswoode’s estate vineyard lies on the western edge of St. Helena in Napa Valley, where alluvial clay and gravelly soils from the Sulphur Creek series provide excellent drainage and naturally moderate yields. Cooling marine breezes funnel between Spring Mountain and the Mayacamas Range, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly while preserving acidity and aromatic complexity. The 42-hectare estate is planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon, with small parcels of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc, and is farmed organically with great attention to detail. Grapes are harvested by hand in small lots at optimal ripeness, sorted meticulously, and vinified parcel by parcel to capture the nuances of each block. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vessels, followed by élevage in high-quality French oak barrels (a significant portion new), where the wine matures and harmonizes before final blending and bottling at the estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a refined yet powerful Cabernet that pairs beautifully with richly flavored dishes. Think dry-aged ribeye, roast lamb with herbs, braised short ribs, venison, or gourmet burgers with aged cheddar. It also complements dishes with earthy and savory elements such as mushroom ragout, truffle risotto, grilled portobello, or hard cheeses like Comté, aged Gouda and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F) to highlight its freshness and aromatics. For current drinking, decant for 1.5–2 hours to allow the wine to fully open; older bottles (10+ years) may benefit from a gentler, shorter decant of around 30–45 minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFounded in 1882, Spottswoode is one of Napa Valley’s true heritage estates, with its iconic Victorian home and vineyards set against the backdrop of the Mayacamas Mountains in St. Helena. Under the guidance of the Novak family since the 1970s, Spottswoode has become synonymous with classical, estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon that marries Old World elegance with New World purity of fruit. The winery has been a pioneer in organic farming and careful, terroir-focused viticulture in Napa, and its Cabernets are consistently among the most critically acclaimed wines of the region. Revered by collectors, sommeliers and critics alike, Spottswoode’s wines regularly receive top scores and are considered reference points for what Napa Valley Cabernet can achieve in terms of finesse, longevity and sense of place.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spottswoode","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251842240849,"sku":"GCW-MMUI-1881411","price":261.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2020_Spottswoode_Cabernet_Sauvignon_1.png?v=1783441775","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2018-spottswoode-cabernet-sauvignon","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}