Press Room

Reviews

Score: 93 | May 31, 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.- Bruce Sanderson

Score: 93 | May 31, 2024 |

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. - Bruce Sanderson

Score: 94 | May 31, 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. - Bruce Sanderson

Score: 93 | May 31, 2024 | Wine Spectator

An ethereal red, offering aromas and flavors of rose, peony, wild strawberry, cherry, sandalwood, stone and toasty oak. Sleek and silky, with beautifully integrated tannins and a complex, well-delineated aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2042. - Bruce Sanderson

Score: 95 | May 31, 2024 | Wine Spectator

Fragrant and supple, exuding strawberry, cherry, rose, sandalwood and cardamom flavors. Elegant in feel, harmonious and charming. - Bruce Sanderson

Score: 95 | May 31, 2024 | Wine Spectator

An intense red, with macerated cherry, strawberry, graphite and floral flavors wrapped in toasty oak, underscored by a muscular structure. - Bruce Sanderson

Score: 91 | March 29, 2024 | Wine Advocate

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga features pretty straightforward cherries, cedar and vanilla notes—clean, correct, fruity and forward. Medium to full-bodied, it's supple, almost creamy in feel, even if it's not overly concentrated, then finishes with some silky, tea-like tannins. - Joe Czerwinski

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."