Winemaker Notes
Stags' Leap Winery's 2023 Merlot shimmers with a deep amethyst color offering a vibrant nose of black cherry, ripe plum, red berries, and delicate floral violet, accented by spiced notes of mocha, cedar, and clove. The palate is plush and inviting with a medium to full body highlighting refined tannins and juicy acidity. This Merlot delivers elegance and grace with layers of blackberry, black raspberry, tobacco leaf, and bittersweet dark chocolate. A hint of Griottes cherries (or Kirsch-soaked cherries) adds lift, while the long, savory finish reveals notes of wild sage, fresh herbs, and earthy minerality. Mouth-pleasing with complexity and balance— this is an expressive Merlot built to offer immediate enjoyment and longevity.
Blend: 87% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lush, fruit-driven and perfumed, with aromas of blueberries, black cherries, raspberries, citrus peel and potpourri. The palate is mid-weighted with bright, crunchy tannins and fresh acidity that lead to a mineral-edged, mouthwatering finish. Bright, fresh and engaging.
A fashionable country resort in the mid-twentieth century, popular with Hollywood due to its 1892 stone Manor House and historic gardens, legends of bootleggers and gangsters, ghosts and gypsies, Stags' Leap has been home to three major family groups up through the modern revitalization of the winery that began in the 1970s.
Stags Leap Manor, as it was called in the 1920s, was known as one of the prominent country retreats in the Napa Valley at a time when resort and spa business was big. In addition to lodging and dining, amenities included lawn tennis, swimming, horseback riding, children's activities, golf, music, cards, a library, and Napa Valley wines and liquors (prior to and after Prohibition).
An intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, Stags Leap is a place of natural beauty, storied buildings and gardens, a lively history, and a reputation for elegant wines showing finesse and intensity.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.