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accolades

2008 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet
The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker

This historic estate, tucked behind the town of St. Helena in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, was established in 1882, and is run by one of the grand ladies of Napa, Mary Novak, along with her daughter, Beth. These have long been very good, classic wines, but over the last 10-15 years their quality has soared into the upper echelon of the Napa hierarchy.

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a glorious perfume of spring flowers, blueberries and black currants, good acidity and serious tannins as well as concentration. It is slightly more restrained and backward than the seamless, compelling 2007, but the 2008 possesses lots of stuffing as well as elegance married with purity, power and rare equilibrium. Drink over the next 2-3 decades. 95+ points (December, 2010)

JamesSuckling.com, James Suckling

The 2008 is very close in quality to the fabulous 2007. It has the richness of that vintage as well as the structure and firmness of the 2006. 97 points. (October, 2010)

Vinography, Alder Yarrow

Inky garnet in the glass, this wine has a nose of bright juicy fruit with hints of cola, cherry cocoa aromas. In the mouth the wine is gorgeously supple and smooth with silky tannins. A core of cherry and tobacco and wet earth flavor has a surprising brightness with fantastic acidity and a long cocoa powder finish. 7.6% Cabernet Franc. Stunning. 14.5% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5. (February, 2012) Read the complete article.

Wine Spectator, James Laube

Firm, dense and chewy, deep and concentrated, with complex currant, dried berry, blueberry, mineral, sage, cedar and tobacco flavors. Best from 2013 to 2022. 93 points (November 15, 2011)