Lyndenhurst Cabernet (2020) by Spottswoode

This shows lots of chocolate and vanilla on the nose, together with ripe dark fruit and some wet earth. Floral undertones, too. Full-bodied and balanced with a meaty structure and ripe tannin. Yet, it’s easy to drink with a medium, fruity finish. Tight, dry and firm at the end. Modern and poised. Try from 2023.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is composed of 77.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.4% Cabernet Franc, 4.1% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 3.8% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out of the glass with lively blueberries, redcurrants and kirsch scents, plus hints of cedar chest, fragrant earth and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively in the mouth, the palate is chock-full of bright and crunchy red and black fruits, finishing long and earthy.

The second wine of the estate is the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst, and it unquestionably offers a touch of Spottswoode class and elegance, revealing a great nose of darker fruits, spice, tobacco, and new leather. This medium-bodied, pretty, elegant wine is ideal for drinking while you give the Grand Vin a few years in the cellar. This cuvée is 77.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.4% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and the balance Petit Verdot, raised in 95% French oak and 5% Hungarian oak, 65% being new.

COMMENTARY: The 2019 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Napa Valley. TASTING NOTES: This wine excels with aromas and flavors of red and black fruits, mineral notes, and a hint of oak. Enjoy it with grilled pork chops and freshly-picked garden greens. (Tasted: June 9, 2022, San Francisco, CA)