Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Estate 2017

97+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Made of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color and prances out of the glass with vivacious blackberries, crushed black cherries, warm black currants and red currant jelly scents plus exotic hints of cassia, cardamom, fenugreek and star anise with a waft of underbrush. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic energy and beautiful poise, with bags of bright, crunchy black and red fruit plus a firm, fine-grained texture, finishing long and spicy. Drink: 2021-2052. (Oct 2019)"

97 points International Wine Report: "The 2017 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is absolutely fantastic, and one of the highlights of the entire vintage. 2017 presented its challenges, with hail, hot summer temperatures and wildfire, but Spottswoode was able to complete harvest before the fires began and they had no impact on the wines. The wine itself is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Merlot which spent 20 months in French oak (60% new). The result is a seductive wine that displays a wonderful combination of elegance and power. Aromas of ripe blackberries and currants are woven together with fresh florals, spices, cocoa powder, pipe tobacco, graphite and hints of dried which sage all take shape beautifully. On the palate this is just as impressive, offering a gorgeous medium to full body, with a velvety texture that is concentrated and focused. Structured, balanced and complex this is a stunning wine that has the potential to evolve gracefully for decades, however it will require a bit more patience before it hits its stride. (Nov 2020)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose features youthful cassis and wild blueberries notes with suggestions of black raspberries, mulberries, and roses, plus wafts of chocolate box and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate bursts with fragrant fruit, featuring firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Alcohol 13.7%. Drink: 2022-2042. (9/28/22)"

96 points Sarah Ahmed (Decanter): "(89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot). A sheen of vivid, juicy blackcurrant and mulberry readily subsumes the stalky herbal notes on the nose. Rising grainy tannins cleave the fruit close; the oak (60% new) is seamlessly integrated. Elegant and well-structured, with lifted violets to the persistent and refined finish. Much more yet to give. Hails from the Novak family’s organically farmed estate, certified since 1992. Drinking Window: 2023-2040. Alcohol 13.7%. (11/27/22)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Spottswoode's 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has been simply tremendous on both occasions I have tasted it so far. Sweet red cherry, red plum, flowers and mint give the 2017 striking freshness to complement its decidedly mid-weight structure. The intense heat of the vintage caused ripening to slow down and yielded a wine with just 13.7% alcohol, which is low for both the estate and Napa Valley in general. Spottswoode was one of the first estates in the valley to adopt a more moderate approach to farming and that really paid off in 2017, as a wine of this level in that year could have only resulted from impeccable farming. In a word: magnificent! Drink: 2022-2042. (Jan 2020)"

96 points James Suckling: "A soft, velvety red with dark-berry, blackcurrant and plum aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, creamy and delicious. Pretty tension of fruit and tannins. Very refined. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. Drink or hold. (2/14/20)"

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Looking at the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, which was bottled two months prior to my tasting, it too has a Château Margaux-like complexity and elegance, with beautiful notes of crème de cassis, sandalwood, dried flowers, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil. Harvested all pre-fire, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, silky tannins, and remarkable purity, all making for a quintessential Spottswoode that’s going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for 20+ years. Drink: 2023-2043. (1/31/20)"

96 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "This is from the producer's organically farmed estate and blended with 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. A beautiful, elegant and youthful wine, it offers seamless texture and integration, quiet hints of blueberry and black currant and a hint of cocoa powder. Gentle in nature and approach, it has a complex depth and more to say. Enjoy best from 2027 through 2037. Alcohol 13.7%. (Apr 2021)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Features a sleek and racy edge, with damson plum, bitter cherry and black currant fruit working together, revealing pinpoints of savory, sage and iron scattered throughout. The mouthwatering finish shows the vintage's slightly brambly grip, but with superior integration and energy to most of its peers. Best from 2022 through 2038. (7/22/20)"