Winemaker Notes
"I"m looking for a wine that tastes like a fresh grape," he adds, "not a tannic, wood driven monster. This vintage is anything but tannic; it is very approachable, almost sexy, with great finesse and balance." Even with almost 90% new Taransaud and Nadalie French oak and over 14% alcohol, this wine is still elegant, fruit driven and forward without being one-dimensional.
"In the mouth, there is a taste of intense black fruits reflecting the hillside vineyard, with a touch of licorice, spice and cinnamon. I find the 2000 wines comparable to 1996, with a soft entry, concentrated elegance and great varietal character. Similarly, time in bottle will help the balance; already I can taste the silky qualities of this wine. Like the 1996 vintage, it should become even more balanced as it matures, so make sure to give it a few years in your cellar." And make sure to enjoy it with friends!
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.