A wine that would easily rate a perfect score on its own, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a full-bodied, ripe, exuberant 2012 that brings lots of richness yet still stays weightless and graceful on the palate. Giving up plenty of pure cassis fruit as well as spice, chocolate, graphite, and tobacco, it’s that rare mix of power without weight. It does everything right and can be drunk any time over the coming two decades.
Incredible blueberries, blackberries, black walnuts, minerals, black licorice and flowers. Full-bodied, very tight and structured with hints of hazlenuts, fine chocolate and hints of minerals and spices. A solid and classic-styled Napa Valley cab. Layered and very fine. (Suckling)
I have been fortunate to taste and drink the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon several times over the last few years. It has never been anything less than stellar. Aromatic, rich and explosive, the 2012 is in a great spot today to deliver maximum pleasure. Dark red/purplish fruit, mocha, spice, new leather, lavender, orange peel and crushed rocks are some of the many notes that race across the palate. A wine of exotic, deep beauty, the 2012 delivers immense pleasure. It delivers everything I am looking for in a Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon.
TWI
97pts
The Wine Independent
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet in color. It opens with notes of sauteed herbs, ripe blackberries, and redcurrant jelly with hints of damp soil and black olives. Medium to full-bodied, the bright, youthful, tightly-knit fruit is beautifully supported by firm, grainy tannins with a lively line, finishing long and earthy. 3,977 cases were made.
The opaque purple-hued 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a glorious bouquet of crème de cassis, spring flowers, a Pauillac-like lead pencil note, and background new oak. The overall impression is one of restraint combined with richness. This full-bodied effort possesses good acidity and ripe tannin. It has been crafted for the long-term. The hallmarks of great Spottswoode wines are their purity and elegance combined with serious power. The 2012 has that in abundance. This youthful, reserved Cabernet will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring, and will keep for two decades or more.
The Novak family continue to produce an understated style of gorgeous Cabernet year in and year out. This vintage provides a fine example, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, all from the historic, 40-acre estate. Complex and smooth, it offers an exotic array of cigar, tar, black pepper and currant, the tannins soft and integrated, yet strong. Coffee and chocolate make appearances on the finish, ever so slightly, never at risk of dimming its freshness. Drink now through 2022. (Cellar Selection)
The 2012 Spottswoode is also properly primary for a wine of its young age, with a creamy nose of black fruit framed by oak spice and vanillin. Throughout Napa Valley, 2012 yielded a large, ripe crop, and some wines are rather diffuse - but the Spottswoode Cabernet is nicely concentrated, with a solid core of fine, savoury tannin and fresh acidity.