100 Points 2016 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

We always strive to honor the growing season in our wines based upon what Mother Nature brings us, and the 2016 vintage -our 35th! -illustrates this beautifully. This Cabernet Sauvignon is big and rich without being overwrought. Lovely aromatic nuances give way to great mouthfeel and length with wonderful, dynamic energy.

The 2016 growing season began early and we left an active cover crop in place to help reduce soil moisture and to moderate growth. We did very little leafing in anticipation of a warm season. Veraison came early, and to ensure that our resulting wines would be fresh and aromatic, we began irrigating deeply with long intervals in between. Though
this classic vintage was marked by a series of heat spells during late veraison and harvest, fortunately these were followed by periods of quite cool weather and the vines were able to recuperate, preserving great aromatic precursors in the fruit.

Overall in 2016, berry size was moderate and the fruit condition was very good, yielding wines that are deep, layered, and refined, with the same beautiful edge and precision that our Estate Cabernet wines always display. Given the context of a warmer vintage, we are very happy to see the freshness and perfumed edge that we so value at Spottswoode.

Winemaker Notes: Raw, dynamic, and so expressive! This wine is glowing with personality, vivacity, and youthful exuberance. The palate has a rustic charm and sense of umami
carefully balanced with notes of blueberry, blackberry, and resinous pine forest. Beautifully expressive now, the 2ot6 Estate Cabernet is a wine that will only improve with time in the cellar to integrate and mature into its full epic potential. Hints of rose and citrus blossom permeate

its youthful and primary aromas. This is a wine crafted with freshness, elegance, and power that will generously reward for years to come.

BLENDING DETAIL
Cabernet Sauvignon 85% Cabernet Franc 9%
Petit Verdot 6%
RELEASE DATE
September 1, 2019