Spottswoode, Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena

Spottswoode, the Novak family's 40-acre monopole on the western edge of St. Helena, has been farmed organically since 1985 and certified biodynamic since 2020. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon comes only from this vineyard, with a little Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and ages about 20 months in barrel, around 60% new; it shows blackberry, anise and cocoa over fine-grained tannins. Lyndenhurst combines estate fruit with grapes from family growers across Napa, adding Merlot and Malbec, and is softer, with Morello cherry, pomegranate and chalky tannins. The Sauvignon Blanc, with a little Sémillon and mostly Sonoma fruit, is raised in steel, oak, amphora and concrete and shows lime-rind and salted-lemon notes.

Appellation

St. Helena, Napa Valley

Owner

Novak family

Vineyards

Spottswoode Estate Vineyard, 40 acres; organic since 1985, biodynamic certified 2020

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon

Wines

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Mary's Block Sauvignon Blanc, Field Book

Style

Estate Cabernet: about 20 months, ~60% new oak; structured, fine-grained

Website

https://spottswoode.com/

Sources: spottswoode.com, Wikipedia