Elizabeth Spencer
USA
Set in the heart of Napa Valley, at Rutherford Cross Estate, sits a historic 1872 brick Post Office that is home to one of wine country’s best kept secrets, Elizabeth Spencer. These award-winning wines are sourced from the vineyards of Rutherford to exploring Northern California’s other appellations and varietals, focusing on Napa Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Mendocino.
Founded in 1998 by husband-and-wife team, Spencer Graham and Elizabeth Pressler, Elizabeth Spencer debuted with their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and it has been made every year since. Spencer Graham’s undying curiosity for all things viticultural led him outward and beyond Napa Valley and into the excellent neighbouring regions. As a result, Elizabeth Spencer is built on strong relationships with an important network of prestigious vineyard growers in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino who provide inspired fruit for a clutch of vividly fresh and delicious wines.
Sarah Vandendriessche joined Elizabeth Spencer as a winemaker in 2010 to continue on improving wine practices and ensuring the finest and best quality fruits for Elizabeth Spencer’s wines. Renowned Napa Valley Winemaker, Heidi Peterson Barrett, joined as Consulting Winemaker in 2022.
Elizabeth Spencer wines include:
- North Coast Sauvignon Blanc– this wine offers fresh citrus fruits on the entry and finishes with layers of stone fruits and green apple. It’s well balanced, with minerality, integrated acidity, and a bright finish.
- Mendocino Chardonnay – this Chardonnay warmly welcomes with radiant aromas of luscious ripe nectarines and succulent honeydew melon, accompanied by a delicate hint of fragrant honeysuckle, harmonized by subtle undertones of indulgent crème brûlée.
- Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon – this wine has exquisite aromas of black cherry, sun-dried blackberry, rich chocolate, velvety caramel, and subtle hints of liquorice that weave a captivating tapestry.
- Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – has notes of blackberry and wild bergamot that reveal a delicate and luxurious palate. Well-integrated acidity combines with refined tannins and a touch of oak giving this vivacious Pinot Noir an exhilarating, lengthy finish.
- Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon– this wine offers ripe plum on the entry and finishes with dark fruits like blackberries and crushed raspberries. It’s well balanced, with rich tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. This wine is approachable now and will age wonderfully.
- Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – this rich, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon has both savoury fresh herbs and ripe concentrated black fruit. There are also a gorgeous oak components along with clove, nutmeg, and cedar. This is extremely youthful right now; it would benefit from ageing to temper its slightly brooding nature.
WINES BY
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