Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This profound blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec displays an inky/purple color along with stunning aromas of lead pencil shavings intertwined with spring flowers, black raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Deep and full-bodied with that foresty, mossy character that adds complexity as well as abundant freshness and definition that are remarkable for such a concentrated, full throttle, intense effort, this youthful, impressive 2002 is capable of lasting another two decades.
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Wine Spectator
Wonderful purity of fruit, harmony and finesse, this is simply a fun wine to drink. Ripe, rich and fleshy, it exhibits a tight beam of currant, black cherry and wild berry that's complex and concentrated, finishing with fine-grained tannins and a sense of authenticity.
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.