The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. A bit closed to start, with stewed plums, creme de cassis, and black cherry compote leading to notes of menthol, tobacco, and new leather with a waft of damp soil. The big, rich, full-bodied palate has a firm backbone of grainy tannins and a lively line, finishing long and lifted. (LPB)

The 2015 Estate Cabernet from Spottswoode is one of the most captivating wines from the entire vintage. Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, this immediately begins to impress with its seductive aromatics of ripe blackberries and currants which are woven together with fresh spring florals, exotic spices, graphite, tobacco along with subtle hints of mint leaf all developing beautifully in the glass. Displaying an absolutely incredible balance of power and elegance, this impresses with its gorgeous opulence and remarkable finesse, as well as outstanding depth and precision. It continues to thoroughly impress as layers of ripe dark fruits combine with spices and graphite that expand beautifully through the seamless finish that shows incredible length. The Novak’s along with winemaker Aron Weinkauf have crafted one of the finest wines from the region, and while already utterly fascinating, this is ultimately a wine built for the cellar and should go on to evolve gracefully for many years to come. (JD)

This bottle of Spottswoode's 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon showed better than the last one I reviewed, with more voluptuous fruit and an expressive, generous personality. Perhaps being double-decanted 20 minutes ahead of service helped. Prominent cedar notes join prune plums, black cherries and a hint of dark chocolate. Full-bodied, this rich, dense and weighty wine closes with a velvety mouthfeel, great length and a seductive touch of licorice. (JC)