Winemaker Notes
The 2015 Fortis shows a classic Bordeaux nose with pencil lead, dark fruit
aromas, plum, and earth. Elegant with rich fruit intensity expressing dark cherries, concentrated blackberry jam, mocha, espresso, and vanilla. An expansive palate leads to a long, ripe, polished finish. We barrel age the wine in our winery’s caves to mature flavors and integrate plush, layered textures. This is a seamless wine with great finesse that will continue to age gracefully.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This robust wine was given 27 months in 100% new French oak and is built for aging. Structured and dense in tannin, and blended with 3% Malbec, it shows a wealth of big juicy black fruit, coconut, toasted oak and elongated tannins. Enjoy best from 2025 through 2030
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Wine Spectator
Plump and juicy, with a firm backbone of fine-grained, gravellaced tannins, ending with a muscular, full-bodied finish. Drink now through 2030.
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James Suckling
Very exotic fruits to this with the regular blackcurrant character. And then it moves on to peaches and mangoes. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish.
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Decanter
Bold and concentrated with impressive plump black cherry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and a tease of stunning Mauritian vanilla. Youthful with real potential to develop further.
Founded in 1978, Pine Ridge Vineyards sits in the heart of the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, tucked beneath of ridge of pines that speak to the dramatic geologic origins of our home and unique soils. For over 40 years the winery has become a pioneer farming and vinifying Bordeaux grapes with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Pine Ridge Vineyards farms a collection of 160 acres of Napa Green sustainably certified estate vineyards across Oakville, Rutherford, Howell Mountain and Carneros, including 47 acres in the Stags Leap District.
The winery’s Chenin Blanc + Viognier bottling started out as an experimental blend over twenty-five years ago and is now one of the most beloved and highly acclaimed white wines available. Original and unique, this fresh white wine blend is crafted to be fresh, fruity and easy to pair and enjoy. The wine has also inspired a Pine Ridge Sparkling wine also made with Chenin Blanc and a splash of Viognier.
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.