Winemaker Notes
The 2023 vintage in Napa Valley was marked by one of the longest and most balanced growing seasons in over a decade. Consistently mild weather, full reservoirs from winter rains, and extended hang time led to above-average yields and exceptional fruit quality. A cool summer with steady sunshine allowed for slow, even ripening - ideal for developing deep color and flavor complexity in red wines. Harvest began in early September for whites, with Cabernet Sauvignon picked through mid-November. The resulting wines show remarkable purity, freshness, and structure, with ripe skins and seeds contributing to a refined tannic backbone and excellent aging potential.
Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of blackberries, plums, ink, graphite and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with softly integrated tannins and bright acidity. Great freshness and balance. The premiere release under new ownership and packaging.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.