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: 2004 Spottswoode "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2004 Spottswoode "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

SKU #1032258 96 points Jeb Dunnuck

Outer quote mark Still youthful and in the middle part of its drink window, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate boasts a ruby, purple hue to go with full-bodied aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, graphite, chocolate, and gravelly earth. The tannins are mostly resolved, it has no hard edges, and it offers flawless balance as well as a great finish. Classic balance and elegance are all characteristics that come to mind with this beauty. Inner quote mark (5/2021)

96 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark One has to go back to 1984 to find as tiny a crop for Spottswoode as the 2004. The extreme heat and subsequent early harvest caused some problems that year, but the quality was extremely high, although there wasn’t much of it – only 1,532 cases were made. The wine, a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc came in at 14.4% natural alcohol. The wine is spectacular and falls right into my observations when I did the 2004 Northern California retrospective several years ago. Only 30% of the crop was actually used in this extremely hot vintage. Loads of big, sweet, floral-infused blackberry and cassis fruit are present in this wine, which is multidimensional, has magnificent intensity, terrific unctuousness, in a very Château Margaux style, despite the conditions under which is was produced. There is an elegance and fragrance, yet power allied to full body that is striking. (RP) Inner quote mark (8/2016)

95 points Connoisseurs Guide

Outer quote mark In an era where ever-increasing ripeness seems to be the order of the day, polish, proportion and balance are the watchwords of this keenly crafted Cabernet. There is, however, no dearth of richness and fruity depth to be found here, and the wine offers up loads of incisive curranty fruit backed by a broad sweep of creamy oak. From its aromas of root beer, cola and cassis to its long and unwaveringly fruity flavors, it shows a seamless fit of its many pieces, and, while sporting sufficient tannin to develop famously for a decade or more, it is remarkably seductive even in its youth. *Three stars* Inner quote mark (12/2007)

95 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Elegant and stylish, with pure, rich, vibrant and focused black cherry and blackberry fruit that's supple and polished. The aromas capture the ripe berry fruit, adding a pretty floral array, and the tannins are firm yet fine-grained. Long and persistent on the finish. One of the best from Spottswoode in recent memory. (JL) Inner quote mark (10/2007)

94 points Vinous

Outer quote mark Deep red-ruby. Very primary aromas of dark berries, cherry pit, dried flowers, tobacco, potpourri and mocha are accented by pepper and eucalyptus. Lovely peppery lift carries through onto the palate, which shows less baby fat than the 2002 but is still very rich, thick, concentrated and long, with very smooth tannins. Reveals some very rich chocolate and coffee notes but harmonious acidity gives the palate shape and verve. (ST) Inner quote mark (6/2016)

92 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark The ’04 Spottswoode shows the enormous ripeness of the vintage, with lush currant, blackberry jam, chocolate-covered cherry candy and spice flavors, plus an earthier note of sweet green olive tapenade. For all that voluptuous flavor, the wine maintains great structure. Inner quote mark (3/2008)

Jancis Robinson

Outer quote mark Very aromatic, floral and youthful, with a smoky, slight carbonic aroma. Graham cracker, black plum, mulberry and creamy vanilla coat the palate, and the tannins are substantial yet integrated. It’s sumptuous now, yet will certainly improve with cellaring. This is proof that Napa Cabernet Sauvignon can be pleasurably rich in fruit and plush texture, along with solid structure, refreshing acidity and age-worthiness. 19/20 points (LM) Inner quote mark (6/2008)

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2004 Spottswoode "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Napa Valley

- America's most famous wine region, which encompasses a varied geographical territory running about 20 miles long from the San Francisco Bay northward to the foot of Mount St. Helena. Napa's great diversity, both in terms of climate and terroir, has led to the creation of a number of smaller AVAs like Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, Oakville and Mount Veeder, among others. Cabernet and chardonnay still reign supreme, but just about everything under the sun is grown in Napa Valley, in quality levels ranging from $2 jug wine to $500 a bottle California cab.

Organic: