Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 is a premium Napa Valley Cabernet blend in a 750ml bottle from one of the region's longest-certified organic estates. Awarded 95 points by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, this 2012 release blends 96% Cabernet Sauvignon with 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, sourced predominantly from Spottswoode's St. Helena estate vineyard.

Quick Facts: Origin: St. Helena, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2012  |  Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc  |  Winery: Spottswoode

Production & Heritage

Spottswoode Winery sits on the western benchland of St. Helena in Napa Valley, where the Novak family has farmed since 1972. The estate was among the first in Napa to adopt organic viticulture in 1985 and has held California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) certification since 1992 — a distinction earned long before sustainability became an industry standard. Lyndenhurst draws 81% of its fruit from the estate vineyard, with the remaining 19% sourced from Oakville Ranch, Knightsbridge, and Young Inglewood vineyards across Napa Valley. Conceived as a more approachable counterpart to the winery's flagship Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Lyndenhurst is structured to drink earlier while still reflecting Spottswoode's signature balance and site-driven personality.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with wet earth and autumn leaves before giving way to concentrated black currant and a thread of charcoal. Subtle spice and a hint of blue stone fruit linger beneath the darker tones.

Taste: The entry is creamy and layered, with dark stone fruit and red fruit at the core. Mid-palate reveals firm, well-structured tannins and gorgeous spice, while a striking tension between tannin and acidity keeps the wine focused and energetic. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit that balances the structural grip.

Finish: Long and deeply expressive, with lingering notes of charcoal, earth, and dark berry. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean, mineral-edged impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink Lyndenhurst 2012

At over a decade of bottle age, this wine benefits from 30–60 minutes in a decanter to let the secondary aromas fully expand. Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. Given the maturity of the 2012 vintage, the tannins have softened into the fruit, making it an ideal candidate for drinking now through the next several years alongside a well-prepared meal.

Best For

• Opening a mature Napa Valley Cabernet at a special-occasion dinner
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who values organic and biodynamic producers
• Pairing with a grilled or braised red-meat entrée at home
• Adding benchmark-vintage depth to a curated Napa Cabernet collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lyndenhurst 2012 taste like? Lyndenhurst 2012 delivers rich black currant, wet earth, and charcoal aromas with a creamy, full-bodied palate of dark stone fruit, firm tannins, and layered spice. The finish is long and expressive with lingering mineral and fruit tones.

How does Lyndenhurst compare to the Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon? Lyndenhurst is Spottswoode's second wine, designed to be more approachable at a younger age than the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which is the winery's flagship and typically commands higher scores and longer aging potential. Both share estate fruit and the same organic farming practices, but the Estate bottling tends toward greater concentration and cellar-worthiness.

Is Lyndenhurst 2012 good for drinking now? Yes — the 2012 vintage has had over a decade of bottle age, allowing tannins to soften and secondary flavors of earth, spice, and leather to develop. Decanting for 30–60 minutes before serving is recommended to let the wine open fully.

Where is Lyndenhurst made? Lyndenhurst is produced by Spottswoode Winery in St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, with 81% of the fruit sourced from the estate vineyard and 19% from select Napa Valley sites including Oakville Ranch, Knightsbridge, and Young Inglewood.

What foods pair well with Lyndenhurst 2012? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and firm tannins. Braised lamb shanks echo its earthy, savory depth. Aged Gruyère or sharp cheddar provides a textural counterpoint to the creamy mid-palate. Wild mushroom risotto mirrors the autumn-leaf and wet-earth aromas. Dark chocolate with high cacao percentage pairs well with the charcoal and spice notes on the finish.

What sizes does Lyndenhurst come in? The Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Lyndenhurst 2012 worth the price? Lyndenhurst positions as a premium Napa Valley Cabernet that sits below the ultra-premium tier of Spottswoode's Estate bottling. With 95 points from Vinous and fruit sourced largely from a certified organic estate with over three decades of organic practice, it represents strong value within the upper tier of Napa Cabernet.

Why Lyndenhurst 2012?

Spottswoode's organic pedigree — CCOF-certified since 1992, decades before most Napa producers pursued the designation — gives Lyndenhurst a viticultural foundation few competitors can match. The 2012 vintage was widely regarded as one of Napa Valley's strongest in recent memory, producing wines of exceptional concentration and natural balance. Antonio Galloni's 95-point score from Vinous described this wine as "sexy, radiant and delicious," confirming its quality within a celebrated vintage. For anyone seeking a mature Napa Cabernet from a benchmark organic estate at a more accessible tier than the flagship, this bottling stands firmly on its own merits.