Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Thick, woody and savory in cedar, pencil shaving and sage, this wine is substantial in style and weight, with firm tannin and toasty oak. Rich layers of black fruit, tobacco and dark chocolate complement the earthy opening. This will do well with further aging; enjoy best from 2025–2030.
Cellar Selection -
James Suckling
A pleasant red with currant and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium body, round tannins and a delicious finish. Not much structure, but friendly to drink. 85% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc and 5% merlot.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot that spent 22 months in 50% new French oak. It offers a clean, classic, straightforward bouquet of cassis, toasted spice, and graphite as well as medium-bodied richness and depth, present yet ripe tannins, and a solid finish.
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.