1988 - 2016 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

I was invited by Divine to meet the owner of Spottswoode, Beth Novak Milliken, and taste some fine wines. The highlight was five vintages of the Estate Cabernet but we also got to taste some other wines.

2018 Sauvignon Blanc
A crisp, refined nose with notes of beeswax, freshly cut grass, white pears and a hint of matchbox. Very fine.
The taste is racy and elegant with notes of pears, chalk, grass and hint of passionfruit. A very fine acidity. Long.
91p   (tasted 2019/09)

2013 Lyndenhurst
A deep, creamy nose with notes of ripe black currants, polished mahogany, charcoal and new leather. A fine cool character. Very deep.
The taste is balanced and sandy with notes of black currants, cold coffee, chrushed rocks and a dark perfumed note. Polished tannins. Very fine. 5+ years.
93p   (tasted 2019/09)

2016 Lyndenhurst
The 16 Lyndenhurst offers up a young, tight nose with notes of ripe black currants, Christmas spices, sweet tobacco and some cocoa. Darker than the 13. Very deep.
The taste is silky and concentrated with notes of dried up black currants jam, sugared coffee and dusty earth. Very long and fine. 7+ years.
92p   (tasted 2019/09)

1988 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
A very mature, round, sweet nose with notes of autumn leaves, smoke and dried black currants. A fine drried up sweetness.
The taste is round and fine with notes of dry tobacco, cranberries, autumn leaves and old leather. Very, very good but a tad dry at the end.
88p   (tasted 2019/09)

1992 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
A deep, pefectly mature nose with notes of dried ripe black currants, undergrowth, violets and warm tiles. Very deep and fine.
The taste is mature, sweet and multi layered with notes of dried up blueberry jam, pipe tobacco, gravel and leather. The finish goes on for over a minute. In a perfect stage of maturity. Lovely.
94p   (tasted 2019/09)

2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 06 Estate is concentrated and ripe on the nose with notes of mint covered black currants, sun warm rocks, tobacco and earth. Hints of maturity. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and sandy with elegant black currant fruit, tannins that have begun to melt and a long, structured finish. Very fine. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2019/09)

2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
A stunner. Still young, this beauty offers up a deep, multi layered nose with notes of ripe black currants, Cohiba cigars, cold coffee and a dark perfumed aroma. Really fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of expensive leather, ripe black currants, some blueberries and graphite. Very, very long with sandy tannins and a gorgeous structure. 6+ years.
95p   (tasted 2019/09)

2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
A very young, somewhat backward nose with notes of bakelite, iron, ripening black currants and fir wood. Very deep. Needs time.
The taste is young, tight and complex with stunning fruit, perfectly balanced and fine notes of iron, blueberries, chrushed rocks and cool tobacco. Very, very fine. 10+ years.
94p   (tasted 2019/09)

Earlier notes of wines from Spottswoode:
Notes of 2014 Lyndenhurst and Estate Cabernet

Notes from the last time I met Beth and tasted 1991, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011 & 2012 Estate Cabernet