Industry Ratings

Wine Spectator

Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette 2016

96 points

Lush boysenberry, blackberry and plum fruit cascades forth here, backed by streaks of charcoal, dark tobacco and roasted apple wood on the finish. Shows heft as well as mouthwatering cut, with a buried iron note resonating through the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. Best from 2023 through 2040. From California. –J.M.

SPRING MOUNTAIN VINEYARD
Elivette Napa Valley 2016
96 points | 2,400 cases made | Red




Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

95 points

Features black currant, blackberry and boysenberry reduction flavors that are tightly coiled for now, carried by well-embedded acidity and racy graphite notes. The long finish pumps out fruit, with extra anise and sweet tobacco elements checking in. This should evolve well in the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2040. –J.M.

SPRING MOUNTAIN VINEYARD
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016
95 points | 1,974 cases made | Red




Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette 2015

96 points

Dense yet energetic, delivering Black Mission fig and dark plum fruit flavors, while vigorous bramble and licorice snap notes push from behind. Flashes of sage and sassafras peek through, giving this lift and cut on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. –J.M.

Country: California | Region: Napa | Issue Date: Mar 31, 2019




Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

95 points

Sports an intense and pure beam of raspberry and cassis flavors, flanked by sage, incense and black tea aromas and backed by mouthwatering licorice snap notes and bramble-filled finish. A beautiful example of mountain fruit. Best from 2022 through 2040. From California. –J.M.




Decanter World Wine Awards

Voted Best Bordeaux Blend in the United States

by the world’s leading wine professionals in the

2013 Decanter World Wine Competition.




dwwa 2013 regional trophy dwwa-gold-2013

Decanter Magazine 2013 World Wine Awards - REGIONAL TROPHY / GOLD MEDAL

Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette 2010

Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, United States

"Sophisticated, spicy cassis aromas, with blackberry, blueberry and a herbaceous note. Voluptuous and aromatic with sweet black currants, fine tannins and freshness."

“Subtle black fruit and Christmas spice aromas expand on the palate. Beautifully balanced and elegant despite its mountain provenance. Wins points for subtlety and refinement.”September 2013, Linda Murphy, Decanter Magazine “Top Ten List – 2010 Napa Cabernets”




dwwa-silver-2010

Decanter Magazine 2013 World Wine Awards – SILVER MEDAL

Spring Mountain Vineyard, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010

Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, United States

Judged by the world’s most experienced wine critics, Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine, Spring Mountain Vineyard’s signature Bordeaux-style wine, Elivette was the only California wine to receive GOLD in Decanter Magazine 2010 World Wine Awards.




Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards

Decanter Magazine 2010 World Wine Awards – GOLD MEDAL

The only GOLD medal in California Spring Mountain Vineyard

Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette 2005

Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, United States

"Impressive and highly perfumed on the nose. The palate has a sweet, rich entry with very fine tannins, the fruit is savoury and concentrated. It has a clean and refreshing finish with lingering length. From 2012 onwards."




Silver Medal Decanter World Wine Awards

Decanter Magazine 2010 World Wine Awards – SILVER MEDAL

Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, United States

"A dense nose, with hints of black cherry and a touch of oak. Suave, ripe tannins with big black fruits and powerful depth."



Wine Spectator
Spring Mountain, Elivette Napa Valley 2002
93 points | 1,980 cases made

Thick and viscous, with ripe, concentrated black cherry and bittersweet chocolate notes and velvety tannins. A lovely kirsch note distinguishes this mouthful of wine, as does the plush texture, and lingering mocha-scented finish. Best from 2007 through 2012. 1,980 cases made. (JL, October 31, 2005)




Spring Mountain, Syrah Napa Valley 2003
90 Points | 352 cases made

A bit rustic, with a trace of racy boysenberry in the aroma. Dense, rich and chewy on the palate, with a tight focus to the wild berry and blackberry fruit.Hints of anise, fresh earth and sage fold in nicely. Decant. Drink now through 2012.—J.L.




Spring Mountain, Napa Valley Elivette 2001
91 Points | 2,700 cases made

A rich, smooth and seductive style that starts out with flashy toasty, smoky oak and leads to a ripe, slightly hot and intense wine with layers of currant and blackberry fruit that firms up on the finish, with a surge of tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012. (JL, June 15, 2004)




Spring Mountain, Napa Valley Reserve 1999
92 Points | 3,100 cases made

Intense and tightly wound, with creamy oak wrapped around complex earthy currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit. Holds its focus nicely on a long, concentrated finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2004 through 2012. (JL, October 12, 2002)




Spring Mountain, Syrah Napa Valley 1999
90 Points | 1,100 cases made

A dark, rich, deeply concentrated wine, with ripe plum, currant, cedar, sage and tobacco flavors that are tightly wound, finishing with chewy tannins. Best from 2003 through 2010. (JL, December 31, 2002)




Spring Mountain, Miravalle La Perla Chevalier 1999
90 Points | 2,700 cases made

Remarkably complex and flavorful, with tiers of herb, currant, black cherry and creamy vanilla- and mocha-oak flavors woven in. Finishes with supple, polished tannins and good length. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2003 through 2012. (JL, October 15, 2002)




Spring Mountain, Napa Valley Reserve 1997
95 Points | 3,486 cases made

A big, rich, dense and distinctive California red that adds some earthy, leathery dimensions to its appealing core of currant and plummy, mineral-like Cabernet fruit flavors. Tightens on the finish, with mouth-coating tannins. Best from 2003 through 2012. (JL, February 28, 2001)




Spring Mountain, Miravalle-La Perla-Chevalier Napa Valley 1997
92 Points | 7,322 cases made

Ripe and juicy, with plum, black cherry and blackberry flavors, picking up sage, anise and dusty notes, finishing with firm, complex tannins. Best from 2002 through 2012. (JL, October 31, 2000)




Spring Mountain, Syrah Napa Valley 1997
91 Points | 684 cases made

Dark, ripe and complex, with rich, intense black cherry, spice, plum, beef and chocolate notes, finishing with firm tannins and fine length. Best from 2001 through 2008. (JL, September 30, 2000)




Spring Mountain, Napa Valley Reserve 1996
96 Points | 805 cases made

Beautifully focused, ripe, rich and polished given its intensity, with tiers of currant, black cherry, mocha, cedar and tobacco, with an amazingly long, intricate aftertaste. Should be a good bet for long-term cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2002 through 2012. (JL, October 31, 2000)




QRW
Spring Mountain, 2001 Elivette
21st Annual Best of The Best: Cabernet Sauvignon - 5 Star wines



Spring Mountain, 1999 Syrah
21st annual Best of The Best: Syrah - Best in Show



Wine and Spirits Magazine
Spring Mountain Vineyard, 2007 Elivette
94 Points

2007 Elivette. ... a wine that’s restrained and vinous rather than directly fruity, its supple, almost cushy tannins a relief for what might otherwise seem like cabernet severity (the way young Left-Bank Bordeaux can seem severe). Give this enough air and it plumps up to wild blueberry flavors and dark roast coffee tannins, fresh and elegant, holding structural refinement and length. This is the best vintage of Elivette we’ve tasted on release. June 2012




Spring Mountain Vineyard, 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
94 Points

Check this out if you enjoyed the classic vintages of Gruaud-Larose: This is funky and complex, with the same kind of fat that St-Julien would boast (this does include a small amount of petit verdot, but it’s more likely the meaty funk that brings Gruaud to mind). Initially herbal and tight, this opens into a powerful complexity, the tannins almost lamby in flavor, the fruit a deep well of cassis. The 225 acres of vines at Spring Mountain Vineyard were originally planted in the 19th century by four separate owners, now providing a range of elevations and expositions for blending into this wine. (3,000 cases) Spring Mountain Vineyard, St. Helena, CA




Spring Mountain, 2006 Elivette, Napa Valley
91 Points

A blend of cabernet sauvignon (91 percent) with franc and petit verdot, Elivette is winemaker Jac Cole’s primary selection from 60 parcels, most of them between 900 and 1200 feet in elevation. It’s richly textured Napa Valley red, focused on silken tannin and plump dark cherry fruit. There’s scents of herbs and mountain grown minerality to the tannin, layered under the equally dark extract from oak. This needs several years in bottle to fully mature. (3,500 cases) Spring Mountain Vineyard, St. Helena, CA. (Jushua Greene, W&S 7/11)




Spring Mountain, 2001 Elivette, Napa Valley
94 Points

My first notes on this wine were all about structure: its refinement, balance and harmony. And when a wine leads with complete integration, it's bound to be good. Slowly, over the course of a day, this opens to a spiciness in the tannin, like black puer tea. The fruit remains tight, black as plum skin, but generous in its depth and texture. It all hangs together in a supple whole, to cellar for ten years or more. (W&S 6/04)




Food and Wine
Spring Mountain Syrah, Napa Valley 1999
Quality : ****

Characteristics: dry, high acidity, full-bodied, heavy tannin; drink in 2 – 15 years. Some of France's best Syrah grows on steep hillsides; some of California's best comes from Spring Mountain, like this densely flavored wine.




Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast Rating


2002 Estate 92 Points


2002 Estate 92 Points


2003 Syrah 91 Points


Wine Enthusiast Rating



Conn Guide
2007 Elivette - One Puff

Woodsy elements and a certain earthy spice lead the way with hints of chocolate emerging here and there. Hushed notes of ripe currants and berries emerge through its finishing tannin. Elegance in its reach, but give it four or five years of age.




Decanter
Miravalle-La Perla-Chevalier, Napa Valley 1996
Rating: 4 Stars

Toasty oak, coal smoke and plummy fruit aromas on the nose, followed by a fine-textured palate, with quite high alcohol and big tannins. March 2000