Review: Spottswoode 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley / Sonoma Mountain ($50)

 Spottswoode's Sauvignon Blanc is rightly legendary, and certainly ranks among the elite Sauvignon Blancs of California, if not the world. The grapes come from several, mostly elevated sites around Napa Valley, plus a site on Sonoma Mountain, and the wine is made in a combination of stainless steel tanks, amphora, and a few concrete and ceramic containers. The result is both vibrant and a bit creamy, with vibrant lemongrass, clover, grapefruit, sweet pea, white pineapple, and lime blossom notes. Spectacular. (96 Points)

- Tim Teichgraeber

 

Review: Spottswoode 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($225)

Spottswoode is among my favorite estate wineries in Napa Valley, always delivering stellar Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc, and the 2017 vintage is no exception. At only 13.7% alcohol, it is lively and fresh as well as flavorful and structured. This estate Cabernet has a lovely wild strawberry note on the nose, deep red and black currant flavors and mellow mocha notes. This one will age beautifully for another 7-10 years, and it's a real testament to the fact that it IS possible to make a beautifully balanced, fresh Cabernet in St. Helena, one of the warmest parts of Napa Valley. The label doesn't boast much about it, but the estate run by Beth Novak Milliken is one of the greenest, most sustainably operated wineries in California (a list of certifications and accomplishments follows). (96 Points)

- Tim Teichgraeber

Spottswoode Certifications 

·         California Certified Organic Farmers since 1992 (Organic since 1985) 

·         Demeter Biodynamic certified 

·         Napa Green Certified Land

·         Napa Green Certified Winery

·         B Corp certified 

 

Key Practices 

·         Utilizes solar power for the great majority of winery and vineyard operations

·         Promotes biodiversity using bird boxes, insectaries, apiaries and animal husbandry 

·         Participates in Marin Energy’s Deep Green program 

·         Spearheaded a grass-roots community restoration of Spring Creek 

·         Measures green-house gas emissions annually via an independent company (Sustridge)

 

Partnerships/Organizations 

·         1% For The Planet since 2007. Donated more than $800K to date to organizations that include: 

o   Land Trust of Napa County, Napa Valley Vine Trail, Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Biological Diversity, National Forest Foundation, Sierra Club and more 

·         International Wineries for Climate Action: Since 2020 (one of first six applicant members)

·         Porto Protocol: Since 2019

·         CarbonFund.org Partner 

·         Beth Novak Milliken — Founding Chair: Napa Valley Vintners Environmental

o   Stewardship Committee (Established in 2020)

Review: Spottswoode 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Napa Valley ($225)

 

This cracking Napa Cabernet from St. Helena star Spottswoode is very much a baby, and drinking it now is definitely robbing the cradle. It has intense aromas of black fruit, anise, cocoa, and vanilla and a deep core of black currant with hints of kirsch and raspberry. As much as it's a very powerful wine, it also has lively acidity and a freshness and balance to it that's a hallmark of Spottswoode's excellent wine making program. I think this release has a bright future after another couple of years in the bottle. (97 Points)

- Tim Teichgraeber

Review: Duckhorn 2014 Patzimaro Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($95)

This is a relatively small, single-vineyard bottling from Duckhorn, only 783 cases were made. It comes from the Patzimaro Vineyard at the base of Spring Mountain in St. Helena. It's just a little bit heady enjoyed from a big glass, with deep black currant fruit, black cherry and smoke notes, and it has, at least for me, a really pronounced black olive note. That black olive note combined with a bit of tarry, minerally tannin gives it some real personality and suggests at least a bit of elevation from the valley floor. It's smartly picked at optimal ripeness, is velvety and balanced, and has the power and structure to age gracefully for another ten years plus. (95 Points)