Description

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 2021

97 pts – Robert Parker Wine Advocate

97 pts – Wine Spectator

ABOUT CASK 23

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct the winery decided it should be bottled separately. Today, CASK 23 blends distinctive fruit from the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth and richness balanced by restraint.

VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING

CASK 23 is a tale of two legendary vineyards – S.L.V. and FAY – that come together in a complex, yet harmonious blend. S.L.V., the winery’s first vineyard, stunned the wine world when it won the “Judgment of Paris” in 1976. And FAY is the site where Cabernet Sauvignon was first planted in the Stags Leap District in 1961. These sites continue to grow fruit that winemaker Marcus Notaro artfully combines into a wine that draws you back to the glass sip after sip.

VINTAGE

The 2021 growing season will be remembered for being the second consecutive year of very dry conditions during winter and spring and for challenging weather during bloom and heat, cold, wind, and rain during flowering. This resulted in a reduction in yield and more variability on the clusters themselves. We had classic Napa Valley weather during the heart of the growing season with moderate temperatures and cool sea breezes in the afternoon and evening all summer. Early September saw a mini heat wave that pushed ripeness along, then a return to beautiful weather for the remainder of harvest. Berries were a little smaller than usual with loose clusters. Overall, the 2021 vintage was fantastic for quality and will be regarded as a benchmark year for Napa Valley.

TASTING NOTES

The 2021 CASK 23 combines the signature perfume notes of FAY vineyard with the structure and dark fruit of S.L.V. Inviting aromas of dark currents, blueberry compote, black cherry, tobacco, and spices lead to a flavorful and dense mid-palate with rich and refined tannins and a persistent finish with flavors of dark chocolate, anise, and black fruits.

WINE ANALYSIS

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aging: 21 months, 100% new French oak
Alcohol: 14.8%
TA: 0.55 g/100 mL
F: 100% stainless steel tank