2011 was a truly unique vintage. Wonderful wet weather in winter and into spring allowed for ample early vine growth, and we enjoyed glorious weather until late May, allowing for a healthy fruit set in the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard. We then experienced an unusual rain event in early June, after which temperatures throughout the summer were unusually cool, with extended periods of fog in the morning evolving into moderate, beautiful afternoons. Just before harvest, Mother Nature dealt us one last bout of rain, which delayed picking. The vineyard showed its resilience and we harvested beautiful fruit without major complications. It is our firm belief that our precise, hands-on management and our rich, healthy, organic soils, farmed with minimal tillage, allow us to mitigate the most extreme weather conditions, and contribute to the balance and exceptional quality of our estate Cabernet Sauvignon, year after year.
The 2011 Cabernet is captivating—beautifully capturing the essence of the Spottswoode Estate vineyard in this cooler-than-normal vintage. Our winemaker’s descriptors include, “ripe black cherry, blackberry, nutmeg, dark chocolate, juicy ripeness with a hint of dried sage, graphite, concentrated black tea, ripe cranberry, and bay leaf.” The fruit characters are dynamic and vivacious, sharing layers of minerality, floralness, spices and herbs.
Where some vintages get their strength from pure muscle and brawn, the 2011 draws its strength from its core and its finesse—much the same way a yogi exhibits strength and balance versus a weightlifter's brute heft. - Winery
SOURCE OF GRAPES: Spottswoode Estate Vineyard, Organically farmed since 1985
BLENDING DETAIL:
89% Cabernet Sauvignon
8% Cabernet Franc
3% Petit Verdot
OAK PROFILE: Aged 19 months, 100% French Oak (62% new barrels)
** Only 1 in Stock **
(the blend was not quite finalized at the time of my visit): Bright ruby-red. Pungent aromas of blackberry, violet, minerals, menthol and licorice. Juicy, bright and tight, showing less flesh and depth than the stellar 2010 example. With moderate mid-palate stuffing, this young wine is dominated today by its firm tannic spine. - Stephen Tanzer 90-92 Points
