Winemaker Notes
Special Selection is the name we chose with the first vintage, 1975, to indicate grapes that stood above the others from the moment of harvest through oak barrel aging and, finally, the selection of the blend that we felt deserved this designation.
Over the decades, we have continued to recognize the superior character of specific vineyard blocks vintage by vintage. We have also secured long-term farming control—including planting, allowing us to select our preferred rootstock and clones—of Napa Valley vineyards with different slopes, elevation and climates.
The primary aromas are of black currants, blackberries, brown spices and dark-roasted coffee beans. In the mouth, the wine is lush and expansive, rich in berry fruit with a firm "grip" that makes the wine's texture an important part of its character. The finish is long and classic—ripe fruit dominates.
Professional Ratings
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.