Winemaker Notes
The nose shows abundant dark and red fruits, lots of cherry along with blackberry, cranberry, mulberry, and framed with hints of mineral/herbal characters, such as graphite, cedar, and pencil shavings. The palate is vibrant and fresh, with lots of age-worthy tannin and beautiful acidity.
Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Brilliant balance and great concentration give depth and freshness to this beautifully structured, medium-bodied and age-worthy wine. Drought conditions that year kept the grape berries very small, so the skins had more influence on the flavors. Tasty red cherries, blackcurrants and hints of fresh parsley and sage.
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.