Bordeaux Blend

This is an 80/20 blend of Merlot/Cabernet Franc and very impressive.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is expressive with black cherries, tobacco, cedar, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Silky texture.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is delicious with depth and some complexity.  Flavors of black cherries, cherries, tobacco and earth.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now but should improve as it cellars.  Drink over the next twenty years.  great on its own, this will work great with traditional matches such as Lamb Stew or Grilled Steak.  

From Magnum.  Consumed at a friends 60th birthday party.  While this was fun, sadly it was pretty close to being DOA.  Brown in color.  No real fruit left.  It was not vinegar but offered little other than a way cool factor.  It was a hot (for the times) vintage that offered ripe Merlots and at age 60, this bottle anyway had nothing left.

This is an easy drinking, affordable Bordeaux that is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries and spice.  medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, nice black cherry fruit with some spice and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should go another five to eight years.  A nice wine on its own or a good choice with a burger.

2024 marks the 20th vintage for Spottswoode’s Lyndenhurst label. The original goal is still the same: use all five Bordeaux varietals and pull fruit from the estate as well as other exceptional Napa vineyards, all of which are organically grown. In doing so this wine allows for, “a broader expression of Napa Valley, while applying the same philosophy that shapes our Estate Cabernet,” says winemaker Aron Weinkauf.

This is a blend of 76% Cabernet sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc from Napa.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cassis, cedar, slight cigar box and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is young and delicious.  Flavors of cassis, spice, slight mocha and char.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with most food (not seafood).  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.