2018 Spottswoode "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

“One of the wines of the vintage, as well as a legendary Napa Cabernet that will compete with anything out there, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals a deep purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of pure crème de cassis and blackberry-scented fruits intermixed with lots tobacco leaf, lead pencil, spice, and hints of flowers. Reminding me of the 2016 with its purity as well as its balance, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture, and a blockbuster of a finish. Based on 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, this is a wine you don’t want to miss! It’s going to take 7-8 years to hit its early drinking plateau and cruise for 30-40 years in cold cellars.” (01/2021)

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet in color. It strides confidently from the glass with classic notes of cassis and blackberry preserves followed by wafts of cedar chest, pencil lead, wild sage, crushed rocks, and lilacs, plus a hint of black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate is super-intense, with loads of earth-tinged black fruit layers and a firm structure, finishing long and refreshing. (LPB)” (09/2022)

“The 2018 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is an instant classic. This stunning wine delivers on all levels as it begins with seductive aromatics of beautifully ripe blackberries and blueberries, which are laced with spices, mocha, violets, iron, graphite shavings and crushed gravel all taking shape. The palate is just as impressive, offering a gorgeous medium to full-body that is impeccably structured with beautifully polished tannins and notable tension. Everything works together, but fruit is the star here, as it shows incredible purity and freshness all the way through the long finish. While this is already impressive on release, it will become even more magical as it reaches maturity in about a decade. This is an absolute beauty and clearly one of the most captivating wines from this amazing vintage. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot that spent 20 Months in a mix of mostly new French and Hungarian oak. (JD)” (11/2021)

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is stunning, just as it was last year. A dark, ample, brooding Cabernet, the 2018 offers up the essence of black cherry, plum, mocha, spice, graphite, leather and incense. The 2018 has shut down considerably since I tasted it last year. That won't be a problem in a few years' time, but today the 2018 is decidedly brooding. Even so, it shows tremendous finesse and tons of pure breed. It is without question one of the epic, present-day wines for the estate. (AG)” (01/2022)

“Clearly a stupendous effort but just far too young at this stage, Spottswoode's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a concentrated, velvety core of black cherries, cassis and dusty loam, then supports it with hints of cedar and toasted oak. It's full-bodied, rich and youthfully intense, with a long, compelling finish that just won't quit. Give it a few more years, and it may indeed reach the perfection my predecessor predicted for it. (JC) 97+” (09/2022)

“From a long, slow growing season, this wine shows the beauty that can come with patience, as it is exuberantly fresh and elegant in style and approach. Berry fruit meets compost, dusty, dry tannin, slate and cigar box, the wine mineral-driven in mysterious, complex ways. Enjoyable now it will show additional intrigue over time. *Cellar Selection* (VB)” (12/2021)

“Very pure, with a piercing edge to its racy cassis, plum and blackberry coulis flavors, this moves along authoritatively while staying relatively light on its feet, with violet, savory and iron threads lining the mouthwatering finish. Beautifully rendered wine that should age gracefully. (JM)” (10/2021)

“Deep purplish crimson. Headily ripe with rich, ripe flavours but no alcohol on the end. A fine mix of balsam and black fruits. Beautifully balanced with freshness on the finish. Very pure, sleek Cabernet that tastes as though the grapes were picked at just the right moment. Clean finish. 18/20 points (JR)” (02/2023)