1985 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
1985 was a highly regarded vintage from its inception, with a long growing season and an absence of heat spikes, but as many tastings have demonstrated, as good as the wines are, they never really blossomed to the point of brilliance that many, including this critic, had predicted early on. This is a lovely wine, make no mistake about it. Much younger than the three previous vintages of Spottswoode with much more acidity showing through (a characteristic of this vintage). Dark ruby with more purple in the color, a nice layered attack with licorice, cedar wood, tobacco leaf and black and red currants, the wine has terrific aromatics and is by far the most perfumed of the first four vintages. There is a slight abruptness in the finish, no doubt caused by the noticeable acid. This was an identical blend to the 1984, with 4% Cabernet Franc with a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine still has some upside, but seems largely at its peak of deliciousness where it should stay for another 15 or so years.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Medium red with a hint of brown. Evolved, balsamic aromas of currant, black tea and coffee grounds. Still some fruit left, as well as a brown sugar sweetness, with strong juicy acidity and firm tannins keeping the wine alive.
Their fourth vintage:‘This vintage put us on the map. Back in the day when James Laube liked us, this was ranked number 8 in the world.’ Crushed at Robert Pepi’s winery. Contains 4-5% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak – heavy toast. A bit old on the nose. Iodine. Great fresh stuff on the palate though with really complex though far from heavy fruit, although from another era. Faded a bit. Needs aeration. Would be great for someone searching for a slice of California history. (JR)
Particularly pale with lots of brick to orange on the rim. Classic mature claret nose. A real trip down memory lane for me of my early days in the wine world – like a 1960s red bordeaux. Again a slight marine/oyster shell note plus a little bit of menthol. Relatively lightweight but lovely balance in a delicate way. Transparent. It made it into the Wine Spectator top 100 wines and put Spottswoode on the map. (LM)
About the producer
Spottswoode is one of those rare Napa estates whose reputation rests less on volume or spectacle than on persistent exactitude. Set on the western edge of St Helena, where the Mayacamas rise and afternoon breezes temper the valley’s warmth, the vineyard occupies a favoured pocket of the appellation.