Description

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 100 points
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is still very tight and youthful, slowly unfurling to reveal a multifaceted wine with tons of black, blue and red fruit sparks—plums, cherries, black currants and red currants—with dark chocolate, cedar chest, black tea and red roses in the background plus wafts of pencil lead and prosciutto. Medium-bodied and firmly textured by superbly ripe, grainy tannins, it has a fantastic core of intense, complex layers, finishing on an edifying mineral note. Wow!

Wine Spectator – 96 points
Beautifully rendered, with a focused beam of gently mulled red and black currant fruit that glides through atop a subtle but persistent loamy structure. Light tea and alder notes fill in throughout, ending with a wave of fruit that is alluringly lined with latent mineral tension. Best from 2021 through 2040.

Decanter – 96 points
Spottswoode has clearly made the most of this lovely vintage – this has charm and elegance on the nose that is still too rare in Napa Cabernet, yet it is blackcurranty, ripe and expressive. This is no blockbuster but it has splendid purity and finesse with no lack in grip and structure. The finish is long, peppery and lively, with fine acidity, excellent balance, and well-judged oak. Aron Weinkauf was the winemaker having taken over from Jennifer Williams in 2011.