Winemaker Notes
The 2023 presents a deep color and mouthwatering presence. Fresh blackberries and dark red berries with hints of anise, cream, and light cocoa shavings show on the nose. Structured yet sweet tannins drive a juicy, long finish, giving the wine core intensity and graceful power.
Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Spottswoode's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon will be offered to mailing list members in March 2026, prior to a general release in September 2026. It's certainly a strong effort, even for this benchmark producer, featuring layers of dark, dense cassis, blackberry and blueberry fruit. The new oak component has been completely subsumed by the fruit in this medium- to full-bodied wine. Greater density and concentration somehow come without weight, supported by silky tannins. Featuring a lovely, elegant mouthfeel and tremendous length on the finish, it should stand tall among the many legends produced at this estate.
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James Suckling
An exceptional release from this estate already known for purity and finesse. Aromas of black currants, berries, peppercorns, crushed stones, licorice and violets. The palate is tightly wound, with refined tannins, bright acidity and a luscious yet restrained mouthfeel that is flirtatious yet serious, with no hard edges or extra fat. This is a divine wine that is delicious now and will be for decades to come. Pure class. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Reminding me of the 2016, if not slightly more elegant, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is based on 88.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.2% Cabernet Franc, and 2.9% Petit Verdot and was aged 20 months in 57% new oak. Darker cassis, black cherries, new saddle leather, and flowers all define the aromatics, and it shines for its incredible complexity and depth even at this early stage. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully textured, it has a multidimensional palate with plenty of ripe, polished tannins and outstanding length. This is another truly great example of this terroir just outside of St. Helena. It will not reach maturity for 5-7 years and should evolve for 30, 40, possibly 50 years. Drink 2030-2073.
Rating: 98+ -
Vinous
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is every bit as impressive as it was last year. Vertical and statuesque, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. Gravel, red cherry jam, rose petal, cedar and new leather soar from the glass. Firm tannins shape this vibrant, intensely saline Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a wine to bury deep in the cellar. Classic Spottswoode all the way.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
St. Helena is in the heart of the Napa Valley, nestled between Calistoga to the north and Rutherford on its southern border. On its western side, the Mayacamas Mountains guard it from the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean; to its east stand the Vaca Mountains. In conjunction, these mountain ranges serve to lock in summer daytime heat. But in the evening, cool air from the San Pablo Bay funnels up through the valley, creating very chilly nights. It isn’t uncommon for temperatures to drop 50 degrees, a shift that promotes a balance of sugar ripeness and acidity in wine grapes.
St. Helena contains a plethora of different soil types in a small area, which have been enhanced over centuries by rain runoff from both mountain ranges. Its vineyards cover a variety of terrain, spreading across the bucolic valley floor and its benchlands.
These ideal topographic and climatic growing conditions easily caught the attention of early winemaking pioneers. In fact, St. Helena is the birthplace of Napa Valley’s commercial wine industry. Dr. Crane founded his cellar in 1859, David Fulton in 1860 and Charles Krug in 1861.
Today there are no less than 400 separate vineyards planted within the 12,000 acres that make up the St. Helena appellation.
Revered most for its red wines based on Bordeaux varieties, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, the St. Helena appellation is also a source of superior Syrah, Zinfandel and Sauvignon blanc.