I was surprised at the youthfulness and purity of the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (but probably shouldn’t have been, given the terroir and winemaking team). It’s another deep, rich, full-bodied, even unctuous Cabernet with a gorgeous sense of elegance. Loaded with textbook Cabernet notes of darker currants and berry fruits as well as graphite, tobacco leaf, and cedarwood, it has wonderful tannins, a layered, multi-dimensional texture, and a fabulous finish. It’s mature, yet given its mid-palate density and ripe, sweet tannins, has lots of life ahead of it.

In 2003, production jumped up to 3,700 cases, with the blend identical to so many other vintages with 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. This was a year where there was some freaky heat spells, but this wine has come through nicely. Deep bluish purple with notes of blackberry and cassis and charcoal followed by a soft, velvety textured, opulent and full-bodied wine that seems to be approaching full maturity. It is interesting, this wine is far more evolved, and on a faster evolutionary track than the 2001 or 2002. Nevertheless it is a beauty, loaded, layered and impressive. It must be one of the top 2003s. Drink it over the next 20-some years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The Spottswoode estate celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, and its latest release is a fitting tribute to the vineyard on the property first planted in 1916 by the Spotts family. The Novak family bought Spottswoode in 1972 and replanted the vines. Tony Soter made the first Spottswoode Cabernet in 1982; this current vintage was made by Rosemary Cakebread. Her '03 is lovely, a wine of tremendous richness packed with black currant flavor. It's smooth and lush, a sleek Napa Valley red, destined to be a classic.

A sturdy young Cabernet showing great harmony and class. It's fresh in ripe tannins, very poised and balanced, with a great depth of cedary blackberry fruit. This is really classic Napa Cabernet, so elegant, and a great food wine.