Professional Ratings

• 100 Jeb Dunnuck
  The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is liquid gold and as magnificent a Napa Valley Cabernet as I could imagine. Incredibly complex notes of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and dried flowers all emerge from the glass, and this full-bodied, flawlessly balanced beauty has perfectly integrated tannins and a finish that keeps you coming back to the class. As with all the wines here, it has a classic elegance paired with beautiful richness.
• 98 Wine Spectator
  Production fell back to about 4,300 cases in 2001, which was a fabulous growing season in Napa Valley and from the get-go heralded as a profound vintage. Certainly Spottswoode hit all cylinders with its blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, and the first in a series of wines from them that eclipsed 14% alcohol (this one is 14.1%). Still dense purple to the rim, the wine is a young adolescent, with beautiful floral notes intermixed with deep crème de cassis, blackberry and blueberry Hints of licorice and graphite also present in this full-bodied, multilayered, magnificent and majestic Cabernet Sauvignon that is shaping up to be a great classic. There is at least 25-30 years of tasty longevity left in this large-scale Spottswoode that still seems to have a vague resemblance to Château Margaux. Bravo! Rating: 98+ Points.
• 97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet with a hint of brick. It has a profoundly savory nose of smoked meats, truffles, tapenade and sautéed herbs with an amazingly fruity core of crème de cassis, preserved plums, baked cherries and blueberry pie with touches of spearmint and wilted roses twinkling in the background. Medium-bodied, elegant, very finely crafted and singing with energy, the palate delivers layer upon layer of nuanced black fruit flavors, finishing very long and very perfumed.
• 94 Decanter
  The 2001 Spottswoode is a ripe wine but it retains its cohesion, opening up in the glass with a blaze of cedary dark fruit before developing loamy soil tones and an attractive top-note of violets. On the palate, the wine’s chassis of refined tannins and bright acids give a nicely classical impression.
• 94 Wine Enthusiast
  Another fabulous '01 Napa Cab. This beauty maintains a pleasing balance between the sheer power of its well-ripened cherry and blackberry fruit flavors, and an earthy quality grounded in firm tannins and good acidity. Totally balanced, dry and harmonious, this Cab exudes elegance and style.
• 93 James Suckling
  A rich and fruity red with hints of walnuts, plums, currants and forest flowers. Full-bodied, round and rich with loads of fruit. Wonderful length.