(97 + points) The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon sports a deep garnet-purple color. After as little swirling, expressive notes of blackcurrant jelly, kirsch, and juicy plums emerge from the glass, leading to touches of crushed rocks, iron ore, lavender, and cloves. The medium-bodied palate had a rock-solid backbone of firm grainy tannins and wonderful freshness supporting the densely packed black fruit layers, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. - LPB

The 2022 Spottswoode was aged 20 months in 62% new French oak and is composed primarily of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard fruit. Attractive red berry fruit is laced with leather and sandalwood, nuanced by perfumed rose petals and cedar spice. It is medium-bodied on the palate and features lithe tannins that grip the finish with building intensity. A wine of brightness and energy, with savoury layers adding depth and complexity.

Looking at the flagship, it's a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, raised all in barrel. Its deep purple hue is followed by classic notes of crème de cassis, new leather, graphite, and spring flowers. This carries to a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, layered, elegant Cabernet that will benefit from 5-6 years of bottle age, which is incredibly rare for a 2022 and will evolve for two decades.

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderfully classy, polished wine. Today, the 2022 comes across as a bit soft, but it is such a charmer. Rose petal, bright red cherry/plum fruit, cedar and mocha build nicely in the glass. This comes across as a bit quiet, but all the estate signatures are present. It's an exquisite wine from Spottswoode. - By Antonio Galloni on December 2024

The Novak family continue to produce an understated style of gorgeous Cabernet year in and year out. This vintage provides a fine example, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, all from the historic, 40-acre estate. Complex and smooth, it offers an exotic array of cigar, tar, black pepper and currant, the tannins soft and integrated, yet strong. Coffee and chocolate make appearances on the finish, ever so slightly, never at risk of dimming its freshness. Drink now through 2022. — Virginie Boone