Winemaker Notes
The 2003 CASK 23 is a wine of rich flavors and luscious, supple tannins. It opens with welcoming aromas of savory spices that marry with floral notes and sweet dark fruit. These aromas evolve into warm scents of vanilla, espresso, and truffle with more time in the glass. This beautiful array is echoed on the palate with deep flavors of dark berries, cherries, and plums that combine with chocolate, espresso, and spicy notes. The wine's complexity continues to unfold throughout a long, persistent 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.