Bordeaux Blend

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.  

This is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Petite Sirah, and 5% Malbec from Napa.  It is a big wine (15.5% abv) but not over the top.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, boysenberries, char, chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good balance despite the alcohol.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Flavors of cassis, black cherries, some milk chocolate, char and spice.  Some depth and complexity.  Long finish.  This should drink well for another five to eight years.  Great on its own, this would work well with a steak or burger.  

This is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot from Napa.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, chocolate, tobacco, spice and earth.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Flavors of black cherries, cherries, forest floor and char.  Long finish.  This is deep and complex.  The layers unwind in the glass.  Still drinking youthfully, this should drink well for another fifteen to twenty years.  Great on its own, this is very food friendly.  It would work very well with Beef Stroganoff. 

This is a Bordeaux blend from Tuscany.  It is comprised of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cherries, mike chocolate, spice and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cassis, cherries, fresh cut oak, chocolate and a bit of funk.  Long finish.  This is a great "Bordeaux" styled wine (you can also call it a Super Tuscan) for the money.  It is drinking well now but may still improve with some cellaring.  Drink over the next ten years.  Nice on its own b

This is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from northeast Italy.  Purple in color with some ruby hues.  The nose is nice with black cherries, some cherries, tobacco, slight dark chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Young, of course, but drinking well.  Flavors of black cherries with some forest floor, spice and char.  Nice finish.  This should drink well for the next eight to twelve years.  This would be a nice wine to pair with Fried Chicken and of course, pasta.  A very nice value in red wine.  

This is a go to house for value in Bordeaux while still getting quality and terroir.  This vintage is a 70/30 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Purple in color with a ruby rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, dust, cigar box, black cherries, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, cassis, tobacco, black cherries, slight dark chocolate and char.  Long finish.  This is still youthful but drinking well.  Some complexity now and more as it ages.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own but evenbetter with food.  Slow cooke

 This is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, and 4% Syrah from Israel.  Purple in color with a ruby rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, plums, spice, slight chocolate and char.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, there is some complexity and depth.  This is tasty and easy to drink.  Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, spice and char.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with many (non seafood) dishes.  A nice wine to serve with the main

People looking for value and top quality should check this wine out.  At age 6, it is coming into its own and drinking beautifully.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, black raspberries, cigar box, slight leather and spice.  Semi-plush texture.  Great balance.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Medium tannins.  Flavors or raspberries, black raspberries, spice and black cherries.  Long finish.  This is still young but getting there.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own or with bigger food. 

Ordered off the wine list at Eduardo's in Chicago (Gold Coast) for $80.  A nice find except that it was so young, it really should have been decanted.  It is a blend of 56% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot.  Deep ruby in color with some purple hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, tobacco, spice and char.  Full  bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, there is some varietal complexity but this is very tight.  It never fully opened as the bottle was drained.  That said, it was enjoyable