Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst 2018

- 95 Punkte WINE ENTHUSIAST, Virginie Boone: „Leading with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by small amounts of Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this is a structured, savory and sleek wine. Blackberry, cocoa powder and a light grip of tannin are balanced and elegantly layered across the lengthy palate.“

- Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, Lisa Perrotti-Brown: „The deep purple-black colored 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of fresh blackcurrants, black raspberries and Morello cherries plus hints of lavender, pencil lead and bouquet garni with a touch of Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is charged with electric energy, framed by grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with great intensity and purity.“

- 93 Punkte WINESPECTATOR, James Molesworth: „There's a well-endowed core of warmed cassis and steeped plum fruit here, splashed with a sassafras note and backed by roasted applewood and melted black licorice on the finish. Rich in feel throughout. Best from 2022 through 2034. 2,966 cases made.“

- 94 Punkte VINOUS, Antonio Galloni: „The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is a fabulous wine that shows just how compelling the vintage is, even among mid-tier offerings. Blackberry, graphite, cloves, licorice and lavender all build in the glass. The Lyndenhurst Cabernet is usually much more approachable, but the 2018 is a real powerhouse. I would give the tannins at least a few years to soften. This is impressive, to say the least.“

- JANCIS ROBINSON: „80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 6% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Fruit sourced from the estate vineyard, Darms Lane in Napa Valley, Edcora on Atlas Peak, Knights Bridge in Knights Valley, Parry Vineyard in St Helena, and Young Inglewood in St Helena. It is aged 20 months in 57% new French oak.
Vanilla, custard pastry, clafoutis, bright red and black cherry, slight toast. The oak on this wine expresses much more as vanilla and custard than it does anything woodsy. The wine is fruit-driven and fresh, a lighter expression of Napa.“

- 94 Punkte INTERNATIONAL WINEREPORT: „The Spottswoode 'Lyndenhurst' Cabernet Sauvignon is excellent in this vintage. Composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 6% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc this begins with inviting aromatics of blackberries and black cherries that are woven together with graphite, spices, spring florals, tobacco and hints of violets. On the palate this is full-bodied and remarkably well-structured with firm tannins and excellent concentration through the finish. This is absolutely outstanding today, but will also continue to evolve beautifully over the course of the next decade and beyond.“

- 94 Punkte JEB DUNNUCK: „A wine well worth purchasing and cellaring, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst sports a dense purple hue as well as classic Cabernet notes of blackcurrants, Asian spices, violets, licorice, and tobacco. Beautifully rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it's one heck of a second wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years.“

- 93 Punkte JAMES SUCKLING: „Black plums, blueberries, chocolate, cloves and dried leaves. Black olives, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Chewy, generous layers of dark fruit and chocolate. Try from 2022.“