Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet 2023

 

SPOTTSWOODE LYNDENHURST CABERNET

NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 2023
 

WHY BUY:  “A true gem of a second wine,” Jeb Dunnuck called Spottswoode’s 2023 vintage of Lyndenhurst Cabernet. We love it, too, and can’t wait for you to revel in its terroir character, elegance, and old-school (or should that be Old World) charm. The Estate Cabernet is on its way this summer, but we’re so high on this one that we wanted to bring it to you as soon as we secured it. We’re also fortunate to have acquired an allocation of their Sauvignon Blanc, which remains not just a great value (note: the price for the 2025 vintage, $50, is the same as it was for the 2024), but, to our mind, one of the best Sauvignon Blancs in all of California, with a clarity, vivacity, and charm that add up to a kind of quiet majesty.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:  Jeb Dunnuck was struck by the evocative breadth of this Cabernet, full of “crème de cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and spicy wood notes” — all of which “shine here,” he wrote — and went on to praise its “beautiful mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a beautiful finish.” (N.B.: the Sauvignon Blanc has not yet been rated.)

OUR TASTING NOTES:

• The Lyndenhurst is so controlled and poised for its size. There's plenty of fruit here, and also plenty of graphite and crushed stone — the latter notes signaling the minerality that only nature can provide, and letting you know you’re not in for winemaker manipulation. What impressed us most here is the balance; at 20 months in primarily new oak, it could have been a wood-driven monster, but instead the oak provides structure without overpowering the fruit. The wine feels poised, almost European in its elegance, yet unmistakably Napa in its depth and concentration. 
• The Sauvignon Blanc is gorgeous, expressive and exuberant without veering into over-herbaceousness. There's real sophistication here, the kind that comes from old vines, careful farming, and a winemaking philosophy that values finesse over flash.

THE STORY:  When you talk about Napa history, Spottswoode was there at the beginning, being among the handful of pioneering properties that helped to put Napa Cab on the map. Not in the 1970s, in the wake of the legendary "Judgment of Paris” — no, no, we're going all the way back to the 19th century, to 1882, when Napa was just acres of scrubby farmland … and anything but trendy. The modern chapter of Spottswoode began in the 1970s, when the Novak family took over and released its first Cabernet in 1982, exactly a hundred years after the estate's founding. Those early releases became highly sought-after, and, in short order, Spottswoode became a cult favorite, beloved for the extraordinary quality of its carefully crafted, richly attenuated Cabernets. The family has also been a staunch advocate of sustainability. It has been farming organically since 1985, and, in 1992, one of the valley's first certified organic wineries.

WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH:  The Lyndenhurst offers eminent versatility, and will enhance a range of options: grilled shoulder of lamb, breast of duck, venison with berries. The Sauvignon Blanc is an ideal partner for a tray of fresh shucked oysters, goat cheese salads, or any variety of herb-crusted fish.

FUN FACT:  The original name for the winery was not Spottswoode, but Esmeralda.

OUR GUARANTEE:  As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate to ensure that your bottles and cases arrive as they should, and as you deserve: with pristine provenance guaranteed. Secure your bottles and cases today!

 

*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, OK, or TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026.