2013 Sauvignon Blanc

Proprietor Beth Novak Milliken and her team headed by Winemaker and Vineyard Manager Aron Weinkauf and Assistant Winemaker Landon Donley have done a terrific job with these new and upcoming releases. Nowhere is that more evident than in the 2011s, which are quite impressive, especially considering the vintage. The 2012s are consistent with the year, while the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is shaping up to be another stellar effort. It all starts in the vineyard, though, and this historic St. Helena site is one of the very best.

While fans of the new and trendy chase expensive Napa Valley cabernets that don't yet have proven track records for graceful aging, Spottswoode continues to turn out remarkably refined, perfumed wines into its fourth decade.Winemaker Aron Weinkauf, who took over as winemaker here with the 2011 harvest following five years as assistant winemaker, is trying to make wines with more restraint.He told me he's doing less de-leafing in order to get more shade on the fruit and is also more liberal today with late-season irrigation in order to avoid dehydration and preserve the fruit.Spottswoode, which is a very warm site, is also picking earlier.Weinkauf told me that he would have waited a few days for the grapes to dry out from the October rains in 2011 but the berries were expanding and the estate could not risk waiting.But this 30th anniversary bottling has turned out very well.