Grand Cru Wine Merchants

The 2008 Gallica is slightly more structured and restrained. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, production is 50% higher than it was in 2007 (165 cases). This deep purple wine exhibits some notes of subtle barbecue smoke intermixed with black currants, blackberries, licorice, a hint of white chocolate, and some crushed rocks. Impressively endowed and full-bodied, with the tannins slightly more elevated, this wine will benefit from several years of bottle age and again last 20-25 years. Kudos to Rosemary Cakebread! -94+pts WA (RP)

A new project from long-time Spottswoode winemaking assistant Rosemary Cakebread, she is off to a roaring start – make no mistake about that. The winery name obviously has a double meaning, in that Gallica is the earliest known cultivated species of the rose, utilized in French perfumeries.