New Releases From California – Spottswoode, Pine Ridge And Beaulieu Vineyard

Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery – This lovely estate, on the outskirts of St. Helena in Napa Valley, is situated up against the Mayacamas Mountains. The first release of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was from the 1982 vintage, and today, given the depth of fruit, varietal purity and aging potential, Spottswoode is considered one of the essential producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley.

There is also a more approachable Cabernet Sauvignon named Lyndenhurst and a lovely Sauvignon Blanc, a blend of Napa and Sonoma fruit, that are part of the Spottswoode portfolio. CEO Beth Novak Milliken and winemaker Aron Weinkauf continue the dream and passion of founder Mary Novak, Beth’s late mother.

Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Napa County 63% Sonoma County 37%) – Light, bright yellow; aromas of freshly cut grass and a hint of spearmint. Medium-full this has beautiful varietal character, very good acidity, and a finish of impressive persistence that offers pleasant notes of basil and sage. Enjoy over the next 2-3 years (pair with shrimp with chervil or basil). Excellent

Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Napa Valley) – Bright, light purple; aromas of black plum, violets and carob. Medium-full with very good concentration. Very ripe fruit, somewhat forward, balanced acidity, medium-weight tannins, good persistence. Bright, high tone fruit – enjoy over the next 3-5 years, best young. Very Good

Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Napa Valley) –Bright, light purple; ripe aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and black plums with hint of violets. Medium-full with very good to excellent concentration. Balanced acidity, nicely integrated wood notes, very good persistence. Medium-full tannins. It should be noted that 2017 was a very hot year in Napa Valley, with several heat spikes of over 100 degrees for several consecutive days; thus the wines tend to not have as much finesse as in the finest vintages. However, though this 2017 Estate Cabernet from Spottswoode is not as complex as past examples of this wine, it is quite flavorful and rich, with admirable balance throughout. Give a year or two to settle down. Best in 7-10 years, perhaps longer. Excellent

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Pine Ridge Vineyards released its initial Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1978 vintage, and over the past 40 years, this estate in the Stags Leap District has become one of the most consistently praised for its various offerings of Cabernet Sauvignon from various AVA in Napa Valley.

Pine Ridge Collines Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 (Carneros) – Pine Ridge also produces an excellent Chardonnay from Carneros, south of Napa Valley proper. Deep yellow; aromas of hazelnut, pineapple and mango. Medium-full with ideally ripe fruit- notes of baked apples and pear on the palate. Impressive persistence, good acidity, well-intgrated oak. Enjoy over the next 2-3 years. Excellent

Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Napa Valley) – This Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is blended from several of the winery’s vineyards throughout the valley, with Rutherford and Oakville fruit making up the preponderance of the wine. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; 18 months in 35% new American oak. Deep, bright ruby red; classic aromas of blackcurrant, black plum and purple iris. Medium-full, this displays excellent ripeness, good acidity and medium-weight, soft tannins. Lovely balance, this is enjoyable now and will drink well for another 5-7 years. At $65, this is a value for a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that is this approachable and this good! Excellent

Pine Ridge Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Stags Leap District, Napa Valley) – Bright young ruby red; aromas of black currant, black cherry and purple orchid. Full-bodied with excellent depth of fruit; layered mid-palate. Lengthy finish, with expressive black plum fruit and notes of mocha. Lovely harmony, with the wood notes adding attractive notes of chocolate and baking powder. Rich, nicely balanced tannins and lovely acidity. Very impressive, this is one of the finest releases of this wine in years. Approachable now, but another year or two in the bottle will display greater complexities. Peak in 12-15 years, perhaps longer. Superb

Beaulieu Vineyard – In Napa Valley, where 40 years of history makes a winery a long standing player, Beaulieu Vineyard represents more than a century of heritage. Founded in 1900 in Rutherford by Georges de Latour and his wife Fernande, BV, as it is commonly referred, is one of the few wineries in Napa to have continuously produced wine for over 100 years, as they were given special permission to make sacramental wine during Prohibition. The most famous wine at BV is the Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, first produced from the 1936. It remains today one of the true classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons.

Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Napa Valley) – Deep ruby red/light purple; aromas of black plum, blackcurrant, violets and vanilla. Medium-full with very good concentration. Elegant tannins, good acidity, nicely integrated wood notes and good persistence. This is straightforward and is medium-bodied, so this is not meant to lay away for 5-10 years, but rather, to enjoy now. Fairly priced at around $35. Very Good

Beaulieu Vineyard “Tapestry” 2016 (Napa Valley) – Tapestry is a fascinating concept for Beaulieu, as the wine is a blend of Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec) from several different areas in Napa Valley. Deep ruby red/light purple; aromas of black cherry, cherry compote and dark chocolate. Medium-full with excellent ripeness, refined tannins, ample wood notes, good acidity and persistence. The finish is loaded with dark fruit flavors and is very appealing. I’d pair this with roast pork or chicken with a molé sauce; enjoy now and over the next 3-5 years. Excellent ($65)

Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 – Bright, deep ruby red; rich aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and purple orchid. Medium-full with excellent concentration and a rich mid-palate. Outstanding persistence, excellent varietal purity, good acidity, rich medium-full tannins that are not overly aggressive. Excellent complexity. 2016 was an outstanding vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, and BV delivered with this stunner. This however, needs time, so revisit in 2-3 years, with peak drinking in 20 years plus. At $145, this is a value in today’s Napa Valley wine scene. Superb