A fluid control valve includes a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A valve seat is coupled to the housing and is positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The valve seat includes an end surface, seating surface extending from the end surface toward the seat axis, and a groove surface extends from the seating surface and defines a groove extending around the seat axis. The valve seat further includes an inner surface defining a central bore extending along the seat axis. A spindle is disposed within the housing and is reciprocally moveable between closed and open positions within the central bore of the valve seat. The spindle defines a longitudinal axis and includes an outer surface and a plurality of flow passages formed in the outer surface to prescribed lengths and extending in generally parallel relation to the axis of the spindle.