WINEMAKER NOTES
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
Shipping Information
Domestic Shipping
We currently ship wine to eligible U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS or FedEx, so please plan according to the carrier's delivery schedule.
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 & Temperature-Sensitive Shipping
To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers, with gel packs when necessary.
Wine is temperature-sensitive and may be affected by excessive heat, freezing temperatures, or significant temperature fluctuations during transit. During periods of elevated temperature risk, we strongly recommend selecting Next Day Air service whenever available.
Customers requesting shipment during warm or cold weather conditions must review and agree to our Temperature Protection & Shipping Policy. By requesting shipment, customers acknowledge and accept the risks associated with temperature exposure, carrier delays, failed delivery attempts, and other transit-related conditions outside of Angry Wine Merchant's control.
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 heat or cold, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safer conditions return. Customers may also request that we hold an order for future shipment.
We 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, subject to carrier terms and conditions.
Shipping insurance does not cover deterioration in wine condition resulting from heat exposure, freezing temperatures, temperature fluctuations, carrier delays, missed delivery attempts, carrier holds, or other temperature-related transit conditions. Please review our Temperature Protection & Shipping Policy for more information.
Adult Signature Required
All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that an eligible adult is available to receive the shipment on the first delivery attempt. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, failed delivery attempts, returned shipments, or reshipment.
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, misdelivered, or requires rerouting due to incorrect or incomplete shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if reshipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.
International Shipping
We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.
Complimentary Next Day Air Promotion
For a limited time, qualifying orders of $495 or more shipping within the continental United States are eligible for complimentary Next Day Air service. This promotion is automatically applied at checkout when eligibility requirements are met.
While Next Day Air service helps reduce transit time and weather-related risks, delivery dates are estimates provided by the carrier and are not guaranteed. Carrier delays, weather events, service interruptions, and other circumstances beyond our control may affect delivery timing. An adult signature is required for all wine shipments. Customers are responsible for ensuring that an adult of legal drinking age is available to receive the package on the first delivery attempt.
This promotional offer expires June 28, 2026, and may be modified or discontinued at any time.
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)
Shipping laws and carrier availability may change. If your state does not appear as an available shipping destination during checkout, we are unable to ship there at this time. Please contact us if you would like to confirm current eligibility.
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
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
Choose options
