Stags Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Cabernet Sauvignon
from Napa Valley, California
winemaker's notes:
Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3%Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Cabernet has always been a mainstay in the winemaking
program at Stags' Leap Winery, and winemaker
Kevin Morrisey likes to blend a combination
of estate fruit and grapes from key vineyards
located in many of the other prestigious Napa
Valley appellations. Much of the estate vineyard
is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon where
deep, well-drained, loamy volcanic soils make
this a perfect place to grow Cabernet.
Rich ruby red in color, luscious aromatics of
black cherry, blackberries, and plum greet the
nose with a slight back note of earth, leather, and
bittersweet chocolate. Flavors of plum compote,
spice, green tea, and cocoa are the introduction
to this wine as velvety, unctuous tannins blend
with a juicy, naturally balanced mid-palate of
complex structure. Layers of spice, coffee and
cream integrate with fruit notes to the end.