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Reviews

Score: Sonoma Coast Top Selection | March 14, 2024 | The Wine Merchant/California Collection

Another strong performer from the Elizabeth Spencer winery, sourced this time from long-term partner grower Hendricks Vineyard among other top Sonoma Coast sites. “Very fresh and inviting on the nose: raspberry, fresh cut flowers, black plum, with fruity crunch and real charm,” the judges said. “Some smoke and meat and tobacco notes on the palate, elegant oak, juicy wild strawberries and great length. One for the Burgundy lovers, this is classy, elegant, and restrained – a stunning Pinot Noir.”

Score: Mendocino Top Selection | March 14, 2024 | The Wine Merchant/California Collection

Elizabeth Spencer’s success in Napa Valley soon led to curiosity about neighbouring areas such as Mendocino. “With its super-primary nose, with a strawberry coulis, fruits of the forest edge, this is bright and fruit-driven with plenty of ripe tannins,” the judges said. “Sunny, smiley, accessible and unashamedly rip California Cab at a decent price.”

Score: Napa Valley Top Selection | March 14, 2024 | The Wine Merchant/California Collection

Elizabeth Spencer has two distinctive Cabernet Sauvignons in this year's California Collection line-up. The first hails from Napa and is sourced from a variety of sites across the valley, with the blend aged in 20% new French oak. It "surprised" the judges "with a delightful freshness". One added: "This is a good-looking bottle; it has layers of complexity and a fantastic finish. I can't help but think it needs some time in the cellar to really come alive."

Score: 92 | March 4, 2024 | Wine Spectator

Flush with warmed cassis and plum reduction notes, this is inlaid with violet, cocoa, humus and singed alder accents. Generous in feel, with enough cut on the finish to match its heft. Best from 2025 through 2036. 16,000 cases made. - James Molesworth

Score: 92 - Editors' Choice | February 20, 2024 | Wine Enthusiast

Excellent depth, concentrated fruit flavors and a snug wrapping of tannins set this wine up nicely for further improvement with age. A vibrant texture and subtle oak spices in the flavor add to its appeal. Additions of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec totaling 15% enhance complexity and structure. Best from 2026–2033. Editors’ Choice.

Score: 92 | February 20, 2024 | Wine Enthusiast

Showing lots of cocoa, brown sugar and espresso in the aroma, this full-bodied wine oozes maple syrup and black cherries over a chalky, tannic texture that smooths out with more sipping. The concentration of black fruits is impressive.

Score: 94 | February 7, 2024 | Wine Spectator

Expressive, from the effusive aromas of rose, sandalwood, wild strawberry and cherry to the silky texture and the aftertaste of floral, fruit, spice and mineral influences. Harmonious, alluring and complex, this is hard to resist now, yet all indications suggest this has excellent aging potential. Best from 2027 through 2043.

Score: 95 | February 7, 2024 | Wine Spectator

An intense red, this exudes macerated cherry, strawberry, graphite and floral flavors wrapped in toasty oak. While forthcoming, this is underscored by a muscular structure, with dense tannins shoring up the fruit and savory elements on the long aftertaste. Best from 2028 through 2047. 

Score: 93 | February 7, 2024 | Wine Spectator

A sleek, intense red hallmarked by a beam of pure cherry flavors. While the cherry and red berry fruit, spice and stony mineral elements are locked up by the muscular structure, this is long and resilient on the finish. Best from 2028 through 2045. 

Score: 93 | February 7, 2024 | Wine Spectator

A spicy red, this exudes cherry, sandalwood, vanilla and floral flavors, with an underlying vein of minerality. Bracing and vigorous, with midpalate intensity and a punchy aftertaste that expands for at least a minute. Best from 2027 through 2042.