2023 Stags' Leap Winery - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa HALF BOTTLE (375ml)

Nearly one hundred fifty years ago, Stags' Leap Winery planted its first estate vines in the foothills below the rocky palisades that give the Stags Leap District its name and its distinct sense of place. That early planting helped shape the identity of what would become one of Napa Valley's most celebrated appellations, known for wines that pair real structure with unusual elegance. The estate has carried that pioneering spirit forward ever since, continuing to farm the same volcanic soils that first drew winemakers to this stretch of the valley.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is built primarily from estate fruit, rounded out with small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, and Tannat, each contributing its own layer of color, spice, or structure to the final blend. The 2023 growing season ran unusually long, delaying harvest into early September, nearly three weeks later than the year before. That extended hang time concentrated color and flavor in the grapes while preserving a bright, natural acidity that carries through into the finished wine.

The glass shows deep, saturated color and an aromatic mix of black currant, dark cherry, and graphite, lifted by warm spice and a touch of violet. The palate is full bodied, with generous, mouthwatering tannins balanced by fresh acidity and real depth. Pour it with seared filet mignon, aged gouda, or a rich venison stew.