Last year, Jancis tasted every vintage (1982 through 2003 – see tasting notes) of Spottswoode St. Helena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, joining the Novak family in its annual assessment of the development of its wines. After a tasting and discussion, the tasting notes and drink-by recommendations are refreshed for each vintage and made available to consumers via the winery’s newsletter and online.
Such in-house evaluations are common, yet few producers so honestly alert their customers to the results. Any winery can assemble a vertical of its best vintages, invite the media and tout the results; Spottswoode revisits every...