Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
75cl * 15.0% ABV * Napa Valley, California, USA
Stag's Leap Wine Cellar’s 1973 vintage shot them to fame in 1976 when it outperformed famous French First Growths such as Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Haut-Brion at a blind tasting by French wine experts organised by Stephen Spurrier – known as “The Judgement of Paris”. Founder Warren Winiarski sold the winery to the Antinori Family – Tuscan winemaking royalty – in 2007 for a reported $185 million. The wines are often referred to as “an iron fist in a velvet glove”, referring to the powerful tannins and richness, balanced by the soft, smoothness of the finish.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars put Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on the map, making this bottle a very serious wine. Grapes are harvested from the cooler, mountainous areas of Napa Valley, thus has been appropriately names after the Greek goddess associated with hunting and the protection of wild animals, especially the sacred Stag. Expect plump and juicy chocolate-covered black cherry, blackcurrants, plum, mocha, olive, thyme, sweet oak and cedar. Rich and flavourful, the wine is well-structured with fine grained tannins and a long finish.
This will pair beautifully with grilled sirloin, braised short ribs, pasta with wild mushrooms and prosciutto, sticky ribs, or wild mushroom ravioli with sage butter.
“Cassis, dried blueberries, violets, ink, graphite, dried leaves and cigar box on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. Smooth and supple with excellent balance and length.” – 93 points, James Suckling
“Dark black fruit, brighter blue fruit and lavish oak spices fill the nose. Medium bodied yet rich on the palate, with juicy blackberry and black cherry fruit, plums, sweet baking spices, chalky minerality, a satiny milk chocolate texture and fine tannins. Expressive and lengthy.” – 93 points, Decanter