Winemaker Notes
Ripe, dark aromas of plum, blackberry, and black cherry all intermingle with notes of spice, black licorice, and baked pie crust. A rich, dense palate finds more blackberry and cassis flavors on the front, backed by spice, black tea, and cedar, punctuated by hints of vanilla and savory pastry. Plush, soft tannins frame this wine to give it a harmonious balance and luxurious length.
Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Hyperripe, with tiers of cassis, plum puree and blackberry paste supported by deftly inlaid mocha, tobacco and violet notes. The polished finish lets a subtle iron twinge creep in amid the lush fruit, giving this a needed counterpoint. Obvious in style, but will have fans for sure. Drink now through 2034.
-
James Suckling
Notes of ripe and crunchy blackcurrants, blackberries, licorice, graphite and black earth. Some black olives and violets, too. Full-bodied, firm and structured with ripe, fine-grained tannins and a plush, ripe backbone of dark fruit. Mellow and lingering finish. Drink or hold.
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.