2005 Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Good deep red-ruby. Aromas of black fruits, tar, licorice and sexy oak, lifted by a violet topnote. Supple, suave and sweet; in a more open-knit style than the flagship wine but shows the energy of the vintage. Finishes broad and firmly tannic. This second wine, introduced with the 2002 vintage, is 100% estate juice. President Beth Novak Milliken notes that the estate still sells off additional wine in bulk.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2005 Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits more restraint and delineation. It seems like a cooler climate wine compared to the more opulent 2004. It comes down to a matter of personal preference, but I liked the showiness and sensuality of the 2004, whereas structuralists and acid lovers will probably prefer the 2005. I would not be surprised to see the 2005 last longer, and actually move ahead of the 2004 in terms of quality in 4-5 years. Previously recommended: 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (94), 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (97). Tel. (707) 963-0134; Fax (707) 963-2886
About the producer
Spottswoode is one of those rare Napa estates whose reputation rests less on volume or spectacle than on persistent exactitude. Set on the western edge of St Helena, where the Mayacamas rise and afternoon breezes temper the valley’s warmth, the vineyard occupies a favoured pocket of the appellation.