1996 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon

Spottswoode Vineyard & Winery was founded 1972 by Mary Weber Novak and her late husband, Jack Novak. The couple produced their first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982. Located on a historic 19th century estate which still includes picturesque Victorian buildings, Spottswoode owns 35 acres of vineyards planted primarily in Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. Spottswoode’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the winery’s premier wine, and it earns accolades from reviewers and collectors. The winery is still owned and operated by the Novak family. About 5,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley are produced each year.

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.