Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (to not be confused with Stags’ Leap Vineyard) is without doubt one of the OGs of the Napa wine world, and it’s at all times enjoyable to see what the operation is getting as much as with its new releases.
Immediately we’re a trio of wines (from three totally different vintages), solely one among which revolves round Stag’s Leap’s bread and butter varietal of cabernet sauvignon.
2023 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley – It is a clear and simple sauvignon blanc that begins off with a light-weight mixture of tropical and grassy notes earlier than settling in afterward a extra forceful pineapple character. It finally ends up because it warms a bit on the lighter facet of the basic New Zealand type, displaying a smack of lemon and a few white florals on the end. High-quality and refreshing for a summery white, although quick on nuance. B+ / $30
2022 Karia Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay Napa Valley– Surprisingly doughy, this classic lacks each the brightness and the unctuous richness of a typical Cali chardonnay, touchdown fitfully someplace in a no-man’s-land that’s wholly approachable however not overly memorable. Notes of guava and gooseberry dominate, with a extra floral astringency taking maintain because the palate develops. The wine then takes that and folds it into pastry dough and mashed, baked apples, giving the end a chewy, gluten-like high quality that gums up the palate. I used to be pleased to return to the sauvignon blanc to cleanse the palate afterwards. B / $xxxxxx
2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – A moderately dry expression of Napa cab (98% cabernet, with a smattering of add-ons), initially restrained by notes of gravelly slate and anise, then making its method into darkish, extracted fruits: currants, black raspberry, and fairly tart cherry notes, layered with very darkish chocolate notes on the end. Ample tannin all through; this wine remains to be consuming as very younger. The earthy notes give method with a while in glass to kind a extra cohesive entire with all that fruit, nevertheless it’s a very long time coming. Think about decanting or a minimum of letting this bottle breathe a bit; cellaring a couple of years wouldn’t be a foul concept, both. (Present packaging proven above, $125.) B+ / $85
2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
$85
