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1988 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon wine St Helena Napa Valley California sold by Angry Wine Merchant
Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon wine label St Helena Napa Valley California sold by Angry Wine Merchant
Spottswoode Estate Entrance Cabernet Sauvignon wine St Helena Napa Valley California sold by Angry Wine Merchant
Spottswoode Estate Cellar Room Cabernet Sauvignon wine St Helena Napa Valley California sold by Angry Wine Merchant
Spottswoode Estate Grounds Cabernet Sauvignon wine St Helena Napa Valley California sold by Angry Wine Merchant
Spottswoode Estate Sign Cabernet Sauvignon wine St Helena Napa Valley California sold by Angry Wine Merchant

1988 Spottswoode

Cabernet Sauvignon

America / California / Napa Valley

$395
RP 93
V 90
Size:
Quantity:

Availability: 1

1988 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – A Testament to Napa Valley’s Heritage

The 1988 Spottswoode Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon represents one of Napa Valley’s early benchmarks for classically structured, age-worthy Cabernet. From the family’s organic vineyards in St. Helena, this wine reflects Spottswoode’s timeless style—graceful, aromatic, and deeply rooted in the terroir of the northern Napa Valley. Even after decades in bottle, this vintage continues to show remarkable vitality and refinement.

Tasting Notes

Beautifully evolved, the 1988 opens with delicate aromas of dried cherry, blackcurrant, and cedarwood, joined by secondary notes of leather, tobacco leaf, and bay laurel. On the palate, it is elegant and medium-bodied, offering flavors of red currant, cocoa, and graphite supported by fine, resolved tannins and bright acidity. The finish remains fresh, silky, and beautifully balanced.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit, the 1988 vintage is composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon with small additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel, followed by aging in French oak barrels—approximately half new—for nearly two years. Spottswoode’s alluvial soils, combined with organic farming and meticulous hand-harvesting, produce wines of poise and longevity.

Investment & Collectibility

As one of Napa’s pioneering women-led estates, Spottswoode’s legacy has only grown in stature. The 1988 Estate Cabernet is a rare glimpse into the evolution of this historic vineyard and is now a collector’s treasure. It continues to perform beautifully at auction and remains highly prized for its authenticity and provenance. Perfect for your collection.

Vintage Insights

The 1988 Napa Valley vintage was moderate and late-ripening, yielding wines of balance and classic proportions. Spottswoode’s meticulous viticulture and restrained winemaking allowed this wine to age gracefully for over three decades, demonstrating the estate’s exceptional consistency and terroir expression.

Explore Related Collections

RP 93

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The ’88 Cabernet from Spottswoode has aged beautifully. The nose is open and generous with black fruits, cedar, pinecones and orange blossom. The palate is well-knit with very good concentration considering its age with just a hint of strawberry sorbet on the entry entwined with star anis. Lovely definition and poise, with a silky smooth finish, this bottle is well above my expectations. Tasted June 2010. Reviewed by Neal Martin, Issue date: July 2011. Drinking window: N/A.
V 90

Vinous

The 1988 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon came across as quite pretty and delicate, with soft fruit and good balance. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, Issue date: February 2012. Drinking window: N/A.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

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International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
RP 93

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The ’88 Cabernet from Spottswoode has aged beautifully. The nose is open and generous with black fruits, cedar, pinecones and orange blossom. The palate is well-knit with very good concentration considering its age with just a hint of strawberry sorbet on the entry entwined with star anis. Lovely definition and poise, with a silky smooth finish, this bottle is well above my expectations. Tasted June 2010. Reviewed by Neal Martin, Issue date: July 2011. Drinking window: N/A.
V 90

Vinous

The 1988 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon came across as quite pretty and delicate, with soft fruit and good balance. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, Issue date: February 2012. Drinking window: N/A.

1988 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – A Testament to Napa Valley’s Heritage

The 1988 Spottswoode Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon represents one of Napa Valley’s early benchmarks for classically structured, age-worthy Cabernet. From the family’s organic vineyards in St. Helena, this wine reflects Spottswoode’s timeless style—graceful, aromatic, and deeply rooted in the terroir of the northern Napa Valley. Even after decades in bottle, this vintage continues to show remarkable vitality and refinement.

Tasting Notes

Beautifully evolved, the 1988 opens with delicate aromas of dried cherry, blackcurrant, and cedarwood, joined by secondary notes of leather, tobacco leaf, and bay laurel. On the palate, it is elegant and medium-bodied, offering flavors of red currant, cocoa, and graphite supported by fine, resolved tannins and bright acidity. The finish remains fresh, silky, and beautifully balanced.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit, the 1988 vintage is composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon with small additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel, followed by aging in French oak barrels—approximately half new—for nearly two years. Spottswoode’s alluvial soils, combined with organic farming and meticulous hand-harvesting, produce wines of poise and longevity.

Investment & Collectibility

As one of Napa’s pioneering women-led estates, Spottswoode’s legacy has only grown in stature. The 1988 Estate Cabernet is a rare glimpse into the evolution of this historic vineyard and is now a collector’s treasure. It continues to perform beautifully at auction and remains highly prized for its authenticity and provenance. Perfect for your collection.

Vintage Insights

The 1988 Napa Valley vintage was moderate and late-ripening, yielding wines of balance and classic proportions. Spottswoode’s meticulous viticulture and restrained winemaking allowed this wine to age gracefully for over three decades, demonstrating the estate’s exceptional consistency and terroir expression.

Explore Related Collections

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