Taste

By:

Jeffrey Cohen, Wine Specialist

Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery

Established in 1882, Spottswoode Estate is distinguished by the pre-Prohibition Victorian home depicted on their wine label. Spottswoode was christened by Mrs. Albert Spotts in 1910 and later acquired by Mary and Jack Novak in 1972. Mary released Spottswoode’s first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate’s founding.

Part of Spottswoode’s storied history inspired the name Lyndenhurst, a tribute to the fragrant linden trees that still bloom in the gardens today. Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon is a dynamic and inviting wine made from grapes grown in the Estate Vineyard blended with those from other acclaimed family-owned vineyards. Having cultivated relationships with other farmers has allowed the family to learn about and explore other appellations throughout Napa Valley, and in turn, these collaborations have permitted them to share their enthusiasm and commitment to organic farming, with the vision of encouraging positive change in the winegrowing community. Their long history as a family-owned winegrowing estate, along with the deep winemaking legacy, enables them to craft this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, whose every vintage is authentic and compelling.

Winemaker Notes: An energetic Napa Valley Cabernet with a bright and impactful first impression, imparting flavors of black and red cherries. Medium-bodied with well-integrated, powdery tannins. Notes of blackberry bramble, raspberry and red currant mingle with cocoa, dried herbs and crushed graphite. Great acidity. Well balanced and structured, this wine can be enjoyed upon release, and can also be cellared and enjoyed in the years to come.

I know that it seems that summer will last forever and has blasted us with record heat, but fall is approaching and the wines we choose will be getting heavier. I wanted to showcase this new gem on the wine list. Through the years, we have had the Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc and the Estate Spottswoode Cabernet as well.

This exquisite Cabernet will find itself very nicely with slow-cooked and braised meats and roasts. My favorite though will be a simple S&P-crusted Akaushi Ribeye or if you would like a little less marbling, the Akaushi Strip. This wine will enhance your dining experience and truly make you feel special. If you have any wine left over from the bottle, enjoy it with a dense piece of chocolate cake or warm brownies.

See you at the Club …

Jeff

Jeffrey M. Cohen, CMS, is the Wine Specialist/Beverage Manager at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jcohen@cordilleraranch.com and 210.677.9234.

You Might Also Enjoy....

Member Services

Get Away To It All

Set directly in the heart of Cordillera Ranch, a peaceful distance from the Clubhouse, The Lodges at Cordillera Ranch provide a nearby sanctuary for an exceptional getaway. The Lodges offer a luxurious residence for any guest. Whether you need to impress a colleague or provide for family coming in on holiday, no detail has been skipped when making sure each guest has a pleasurable experience that is unique to every individual.

Cordillera Ranch POA

Amenity Reservations on the Ranch

Cordillera Ranch offers a variety of amenities for property owners and the new POA website allows online reservations for those amenities. To place a reservation request, simply log into the Cordillera Ranch POA website at www.cordilleraranchpoa.com, use the drop down on the For Residents tab and select Reservations, which lists the multiple amenities available. Property owners will then need to select which amenity they wish to reserve, and fill out the online form. The completed form is sent to the POA to review, at which time the POA will approve or deny the request. Once a decision has been made by the POA, the property owner is notified.

Signature Vacations

Los Sueños Resort in Costa Rica

Join our Club staff as we visit beautiful Costa Rica and its outstanding Los Sueños Resort and Marina. Costa Rica is really a wonderful vacation destination. With one of the oldest and most stable democracies in the Americas, Costa Rica is relatively close to the U.S. and includes clean, uncrowded beaches; a happy, friendly population; and beautiful scenery. If you’re looking for a great fall vacation getaway, Costa Rica is the perfect choice. With ideal accommodations, adventure experiences and relaxation, what more could you ask for?

Manager's Message

Where Do You Spend Your Time?

I recently read a story retold by the father of a young family of three that included himself, his wife and their young daughter. According to his recounting, after dinner they were each challenged to share an object symbolic of how they would describe one another to a stranger. When it was the daughter’s turn to share the item she thought to be representative of her father, she produced a cell phone. At her young age, she wasn’t taking a sarcastic “shot” at her dad, rather, it was how she truly saw him when he was home.