Cabernet Sauvignon

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 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Syrah from the Powerline Vineyard in Walla Walla.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, graphite and an earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries and slight black olives with good acidity. Long finish.  This drinks nicely on its own and worked well with Mushroom Burgers.  Still young, this should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  

This is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens a bit with some air.  Cassis, dust, oak and cumin.  Firm tannins.  Lots of energy.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, cassis and spice with plenty of depth.  Good finish.  This needs time for my tastes.  There is a lot here but it seems a bit shut down.  I would hold for five and then drink for ten to fifteen after that.  If drinking soon, it will need a steak or Prime Rib to stand up to the tannins.  The score should go up a few poi

This venerable old label used to be one of the most talked about wines from Napa.  Today, it seems to barely get a mention yet the quality is still top notch.  Fame is fickle.  This vintage is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Verdot and 3% Malbec.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic Napa which is also to say very Bordeaux-like in a ripe year.  Black cherries, some cassis, earthy, cigar box and slight graphite.  Great texture.  Firm tannins.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cassis, earthiness and spice.  Long finish.  This is outstanding.  Great on its own but better with

Another great wine from Fait-Mail.  These wine get some buzz but deserve even more.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, slight graphite, cedar, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is concentrated, intense and delicious.  Flavors of cassis, slight dark chocolate, spice and char.  Long finish.  This is still quite young and won't hit peak for at least a decade.  That said, it provides a lot of pleasure right now.  Drink over the next twenty years.  Fantastic on its own, this would work with big meat

This is a blend of 74% Sonoma fruit and 26% Cabernet.  A gorgeous wine that is just entering its prime drinking window.  Purple in color with some ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic with cassis, tobacco, slight cocoa and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is complex, deep and delicious.  Flavors of cassis, earthiness and spice.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and worked well with eggplant Parmesan.  It should have at least another ten or fifteen years.  I know a lot of people like to say these big Cal Cabs can't last.  Th

Great showing for this wine although still a bit on the youngish side.  Purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose is big and deep.  Cedar, cassis, slight blueberries, slight coffee, and char.  Full bodied.  Great plush texture.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is deep, complex and delicious.  It has a bit of a "Bordeaux" quality but the fruit is prime Napa.  Flavors of cassis, coffee, char and slight blueberries.  Long finish.  The last glass was the best.  This is great on its own but works with most (not seafood) foods.  This bottle was enjoyed with an assortment of che

This is an inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles that delivers for under $20.  Purple in color with some ruby hues.  The nose has black cherries with some spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is an easy drinking wine that would be good to serve for an outdoor cookout.  Flavors of black cherries.  Moderate finish.  A nice choice with a burger off the grill.  Drink now.  

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.