Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2020 vintage. With @Beth Novak . Decanted and tasted after one hour. Medium body. Nose practically leapt out of the glass with plenty to discuss. Flavors a bit more subdued but definitely present. Just enough back-end, tannic presence to hold court. This should be absolute dynamite in 3-5 years. Initial visit a bit over two years ago (9.5) and was more explosive but will cede that to the last impression getting more air time. Said then that this was my fave since the 1991 vintage and sticking by that. 1.2.26. — 5 days ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.0

Deep plum on the palate at 7 years old. From Sonoma by Spottswoode, likely at peak. July 2025. — 5 months ago

Paul K

9.4

Pretty nose of floral and berries jumped out while decanting. Didn’t touch for two hours. Elegant. Reminded me of a recent bottle of Spottswoode with tobacco and spice. Great experience. — 2 years ago

David Peifer

8.9

A tad sweet but aged nicely. — 6 days ago

Joe DAscoli

9.2

Bright and fruity. A little light and sweet without sugar. Some mango and guava.

Lost out in a tasting to a Sancerre — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Napa Valley AVA, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the organically farmed Spottswoode Estate in St. Helena. The 1997 vintage was hailed as one of Napa’s finest, producing wines with concentration, elegance, and superb aging potential.

Aromas & Flavors
A bouquet of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, cassis, cedar, tobacco, and leather with a subtle backdrop of dried herbs. Secondary notes of cigar box, cocoa, and graphite have developed beautifully over time.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet refined, with mature tannins now softened into silk, balanced acidity, and a long, complex finish. Displays a harmony of fruit, spice, and earth that only comes with two decades of patient aging.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested fruit, fermented in stainless steel, then aged in French oak barrels (approx. 50–60% new). Known for its precision and restraint compared to more opulent Napa styles, Spottswoode is often likened to Left Bank Bordeaux in elegance.

Food Pairing
A perfect match for dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, mushroom ragout, or truffled pasta. Its tertiary notes also make it excellent with hard aged cheeses.

Verdict
A benchmark Napa Cabernet from a benchmark vintage. The 1997 Spottswoode shows how grace, balance, and power can coexist. At peak maturity now—drink and savor every last drop of its storied legacy. — 7 months ago

Tyler Felous

9.4

First time with Spottswoode and a 2000 at that. This was an…experience. First sip, I was convinced it was turned. A totally off nose. But after about 30 mins, it blew off and the wine arrived. From there, all tertiary notes, beautifully integrated. Would love to try a slightly younger bottle as this felt past its prime. — 2 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.3

Some good depth and flavor. Winner of a taste off against Spottswoode. High praise from the group — 3 months ago

Paul J

9.4

Same as previous note. Very nice! Went well with the burger. Also had the ‘96 Spottswoode and ‘13 Nickel & Nickel CC Ranch Cab. — a year ago

with Brooke

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.5

One of my favorites from Premiere Napa Valley 2020. #pnv20 #pnv2020 #napa only 5 cases produced 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard, first established in 1882
Aging for 20 months in custom Hungarian oak barrels
Inspired by winemaker Aron Weinkauf’s visit to the forests and Kádár cooperage of Hungary
Organically farmed since 1985

For the first time ever, Spottswoode offers a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard aging exclusively in Hungarian oak. Since the first vintage of Spottswoode in 1982, the pursuit to capture the highest expression of this historic vineyard yielded a philosophy of experimentation and continuous improvement. In the cellar, winemaker and vineyard manager Aron Weinkauf conducts cooper trials, which inform how he selects new barrels and refines Spottswoode's diverse barrel program. In 2017, Aron Weinkauf visited the Kadar cooperage as well as forests in Hungary to gain a greater understanding of Hungarian oak. With the exceptional 2018 vintage, Aron aged 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from the Spottswoode Estate in custom barrels crafted during his visit. This wine is the result of his research.


Wine Facts

Single vineyard wine
Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled — 4 years ago

with Ron