Spottswoode Napa 1994 Cab and 2019 Sauvignon Blanc – Valued at $300

Transport yourself to Napa, California with these two Spottswoode wines. To my taste, year in and year out, this is the best cabernet made in the Napa Valley. You may know the names of others more famous like Screaming Eagle, but I have yet to speak with a person who ever tasted one.  Spottswoode is a family owned and operated winery on the west side of St. Helena. They bottle four wines: cabernet sauvignon (mixed with some cabernet franc); Sauvignon blanc; Albarino (a white originating in northwestern Spain) and a Rhonesque mix. This is the flagship wine of the property. It’s a great year and a wine fit for celebrating an important event. As with the Bordeaux wines, I would double decant this two hours before drinking.  Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc I included because it’s my wife’s favorite wine. This is a new release. Wines are made from Sauvignon Musque clone so the flavors are more rounded and less grassy than most of those from California and New Zealand. It has high acids and will still be good for a couple years, but it’s ready to go now.

From the impressive cellar of SDCBF Board Member, Allen Snyder.