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Wine Spectator’s #6 Wine of 2026:
Stag’s Leap Fay 2023. We Got It.
Fifty years after the Judgment of Paris, the winery’s highest ranking ever. In bottle, magnum and 3-liter.
Wine Spectator Release Price
$200
Lowest Price in California
$178.99
• Only 15 Bottles + 1 Magnum + 1 3-Liter · All Arriving Friday 11/13
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A Personal Note
Dear Artisans,
Wine Spectator has just named its No. 6 wine of 2026: the 2023 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Fay Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 points. And we got it, in all three sizes.
All of it arrives this Friday, November 13th: five original 3-bottle wooden cases (just 15 bottles), one magnum and one 3-liter, and that is all we have. Wine Spectator lists the bottle at $200. Ours is $178.99, the lowest price in California.
Fifty Years After Paris
In 1976, at the blind tasting now called the Judgment of Paris, the 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet took first place among the reds, ahead of Mouton-Rothschild and Haut-Brion. It came from three-year-old vines in S.L.V., the winery’s first vineyard. This year is that tasting’s 50th anniversary.
Founder Warren Winiarski had loved the homemade wine of his neighbor, Nathan Fay, so in 1970 he bought the land next door and planted S.L.V. Fay had planted his vines in 1961, the first Cabernet Sauvignon in what is now the Stags Leap District. The winery bought the Fay vineyard in 1986, and the first Fay bottling was the 1990.
The Winery’s Highest Ranking Ever
Wine Spectator has published a Top 100 every year since 1988. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars made it three times before: the 1985 Cask 23 at No. 40 in 1989, the 1990 Napa Valley Cabernet at No. 76 in 1993, and the 2021 Cask 23 at No. 57 in 2024.
No. 6 is its first Top 10 and its highest ranking ever, and the first time Fay has made the list. Only two Stags Leap District Cabernets reached the Top 10 before it: Pine Ridge 1999 (No. 4 in 2002) and Chimney Rock 2021 (No. 5 in 2024).
The Most Elegant Of The Three
Wine Spectator calls Fay the most elegant of the winery’s three top Cabernets, alongside S.L.V. and Cask 23. James Molesworth found morello cherry and blackberry with bay leaf and an iron note running through a long finish, and he would drink it from 2028 through 2043.
2023 was a stellar vintage for Napa Cabernet. It was also the year the Antinori family became sole owners of the winery, buying out the Ste. Michelle stake held since 2007. Marcus Notaro has made the wines since 2013, and Decanter gave this one 97 points.
The Rest Of The Family
Below Fay, I have lined up every other Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars wine in our cellar: a magnum of the 2014 Cask 23, magnums of S.L.V. from 2018 and from 1986, and the 2022 Artemis. We have poured Stag’s Leap at four of our tastings since November 2024.
James Tran
Artisan Wine & Spirits
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Why This Matters
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Wine Spectator’s No. 6 wine of 2026. The winery’s first Top 10, in the 50th year since the Judgment of Paris. |
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Four critics at 95 and up. Decanter 97, Vinous 96, Wine Spectator 95, Wine Advocate 95. |
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$178.99, the lowest price in California. Wine Spectator lists it at $200. Magnum $438.99, 3-liter $959.99. |
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All arriving this Friday, November 13th. 15 bottles in five original 3-bottle wooden cases, one magnum and one 3-liter. |
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The Five Wines At A Glance
Every Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars wine we have, with every size.
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WS #6 Wine of 2026 · Arriving Friday 11/13
2023 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Fay
The most elegant of the winery’s three top Cabernets, in three sizes.
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WS #6 of 2026DM 973 Sizes
2023 Fay Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley · Cabernet Sauvignon
Nathan Fay planted this vineyard in 1961, the first Cabernet Sauvignon in what is now the Stags Leap District. The 2023 is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged 21 months in 100% new French oak.
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95Wine Spectator |
95Wine Advocate |
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Decanter
97 Points
…The wine is beautifully dense and immensely structured, yet defined by a profound sense of freshness. Classic red-rock minerality and iron-like notes speak clearly of the site, layered with sagebrush and unsmoked tobacco. Polished and full-bodied, with satiny tannins seamlessly integrated, framing lush blue- and black-fruited depth that carries through a long, captivating finish. A compelling, site-driven expression that balances power with precision and unmistakable Stags Leap District mineral elegance. — Jonathan Cristaldi, March 2026
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Vinous
96 Points
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay is fabulous. Medium in body and deep, with notable energy, the 2023 is a hugely promising wine. Dark blue/purplish fruit, menthol, licorice, cloves and graphite are all finely sketched. This gracious, elegant wine is all class. — Antonio Galloni, November 2025
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Wine Spectator · #6 Wine of 2026
95 Points
This is lovely, with a slightly reserved feel to its steady, well-defined core of morello cherry and blackberry preserve notes that are inlaid prettily with savory, bay leaf and mesquite details. There’s a steady iron ping reverbing through the fine-grained finish, adding extra length. Best from 2028 through 2043. — James Molesworth, November 2026
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Wine Advocate
95 Points
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard is showing notably better from bottle than it did from barrel. A lovely example of a delicate, finesse-driven Cabernet, it features hints of violets, thyme and sage entwined with ripe black cherries. It’s medium- to full-bodied and silky-textured on the palate, with a lingering finish framed by fine-grained tannins. — Joe Czerwinski, May 2026
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| Vineyard |
Fay, planted 1961 by Nathan Fay; owned by the winery since 1986 |
| Blend |
99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc |
| Aging |
21 months, 100% new French oak |
| Winemaker |
Marcus Notaro (since 2013) |
| Production |
4,400 cases |
| Drink |
2028 through 2043 (Wine Spectator) |
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Elsewhere: $200.00$178.99 / bottle |
| • Only 15 Bottles · Five 3-Bottle Wooden Cases · Arriving Friday 11/13 |
How are we at $178.99 when Wine Spectator lists $200? Our buying relationships let us bring it in for less, and we pass that straight to you. Order three and they leave in their original wooden case.
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1.5L Magnum
Elsewhere: $460.00
$438.99
• Only 1 · Arriving Fri 11/13
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3-Liter
Elsewhere: $969.00
$959.99
• Only 1 · Arriving Fri 11/13
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The Stag’s Leap Family
Cask 23, S.L.V. & Artemis
Every other Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars wine in our cellar right now, three of them in magnum.
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Cask 23 · 1.5L Magnum
2014 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23
A selection of the estate’s finest barrels, from Fay and S.L.V., in magnum.
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JD 97First Vintage 1974Magnum
2014 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley · 1.5L Magnum
Cask 23 began with the 1974 vintage, when one lot from S.L.V. was bottled on its own. Since 1990 it has drawn on the best of both S.L.V. and Fay, and Vinous found the Fay side especially prominent in the 2014.
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97Jeb Dunnuck |
96Wine Advocate |
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95Decanter |
94James Suckling |
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Jeb Dunnuck
97 Points
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 is a smoking effort from this team. Revealing a deep purple color and stunning notes of blackcurrants and black raspberries like fruit, it offers loads of spice, cedar and dried flower nuances, full-bodied richness, a ripe, full-bodied, majestic texture, beautiful tannin quality, and a great finish. This sensational 2014 has a rare mix of power and elegance… — December 2017
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Wine Advocate
96 Points
The 2014s are not yet in bottle. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 Estate-Grown is a big-time winner with great fruit, terrific texture, full body, sensational purity and plenty of blue and black fruits interwoven… Again, purity, harmony, complexity and individuality are hallmarks of these wines. Drink this 2014 Cask 23 over the next 25 years. — Robert M. Parker, Jr., December 2016
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Vinous
96 Points
The top of the line 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 is a blend of fruit from both the Fay and S.L.V. vineyards. The silky tannins and perfume of Fay seem to be especially prominent in the 2014 at this stage. This is an especially polished Cask 23, with polished tannins, notable density and fabulous overall balance. — Antonio Galloni, September 2017
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Decanter
95 Points
Cask 23 is a selection of the finest barrels produced from the estate’s vineyards… The palate is suave and broad, given texture with fine-grained tannins. There’s impeccable balance and poise, and a long lingering finish, thanks to the wine’s fine acidity. — Stephen Brook
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James Suckling
94 Points
Glorious aromas of blackberries and blackcurrants follow through to a full body, ultra-fine tannins and an alluring finish. It shows such polish and verve… Shows the pedigree. — January 2017
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Wine Enthusiast
94 Points
A 100% varietal and estate-grown wine from the site made famous in the Paris Tasting, this offers yeasty brioche aromas that lead to crisp expansive flavors of cassis and red currant. The oak is supportive and integrated, adding to the wine’s overall earthiness of dried herb and clove, lasting and juicy on the finish. — Virginie Boone, June 2018
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Wine Spectator
93 Points
Deftly balanced, creamy and smooth-textured, with an elegant array of red and dark berry, anise, cedar and mocha flavors, ending with fine-grained tannins and a splash of mocha. Drink now through 2032. — James Laube
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S.L.V. · Two Magnums
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V.: 2018 and 1986
From the vineyard behind the 1973 that won in Paris.
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JS 97 · 2018Planted 1970Magnums
S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley · 1.5L Magnums
S.L.V., the Stag’s Leap Vineyard, is the first vineyard Warren Winiarski planted, in 1970. Three years later its 1973 won the Judgment of Paris.
The 2018, in Magnum
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97James Suckling |
95+Wine Advocate |
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James Suckling
97 Points
This is one of the best SLVs I have tasted with total balance and structure that highlights what was possible in 2018. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and poised, with layer upon layer of fine tannins that give depth and beauty to this young red. Blackcurrant, blueberry and floral flavors. — June 2021
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Wine Advocate
95+ Points
As usual, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. is a bit richer and sturdier than the Fay Vineyard bottling, while still retaining plenty of complexity. The nose offers scents of cassis, black cherries, star anise, cocoa and pencil shavings, while the medium to full-bodied palate adds dark, loamy notes. It’s medium to full-bodied, with ample concentration and some dusty, dry tannins on the mocha-tinged finish.
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Wine Spectator
94 Points
Polished and open at first, showing a fan-friendly set of creamed plum and warmed cassis flavors, laced with melted licorice and sweet toast accents. Features alder and warm earth hints that check in on the finish, adding extra range and length while giving the fruit a grounded feel in the end. Very solidly built. Drink now through 2038.
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Elsewhere: $550.00$479.97 / magnum |
The 1986, in Magnum
Forty years old this year, from the same vineyard as the 1973 that won in Paris. We poured S.L.V. 1986 at our December 2024 library tasting, and these are the magnums we have left.
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Elsewhere: $850.00$699.97 / magnum |
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Artemis · Napa Valley
2022 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis
The winery’s Napa Valley Cabernet, and the way into the range.
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DM 94JS 92Napa Valley
2022 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California · Cabernet Sauvignon
Artemis is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon with a little Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 15 months in French oak.
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94Decanter |
92James Suckling |
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Decanter
94 Points
No matter the vintage, this winery consistently delivers. Artemis offers classic blackberry fruit, sagebrush, and loamy earth, with tobacco influences. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with precise, superfine tannins and layers of cherry, blackberry, graphite, and perfumed violets building toward a finish full of energy, drive, and tension. Ideal for enjoying on its own before a meal and throughout dinner. — Jonathan Cristaldi, February 2025
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James Suckling
92 Points
A cool, slightly restrained expression gives an elegant spin to this dark-fruited, well-balanced and savory wine. Black cherries and blueberries, cocoa and graphite, tobacco leaves and iron flavors. Full-bodied but not heavy. Drink or hold. — March 2025
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Vinous
91 Points
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is a terrific introduction to the range. Soft contours wrap around a core of red-toned fruit, spice, tobacco and cedar. All the elements are so well balanced. This mid-weight, supple Cabernet Sauvignon is a total delight. — Antonio Galloni, November 2025
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Jeb Dunnuck
91 Points
…the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis shows a deeper ruby/plum hue as well as beautiful aromatics of cassis, ripe black cherries, graphite, and spring flowers. It’s medium-bodied and balanced on the palate, with a supple, elegant mouthfeel and nicely polished tannins… Drink this charming, supple, forward Cabernet Sauvignon over the coming 8-10 years. — December 2025
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Elsewhere: $100.00$89.97 / bottle |
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The Bottom Line
Fifty years after Paris, Wine Spectator’s No. 6.
The 2023 Fay is the winery’s first Top 10 wine in Wine Spectator’s list, with 97 points from Decanter. Wine Spectator lists it at $200; ours is $178.99, the lowest price in California. The magnum is $438.99 and the 3-liter is $959.99.
All of it arrives this Friday, November 13th: 15 bottles in five original wooden cases, one magnum and one 3-liter. Order now to reserve yours.
Cheers,
— James Tran
Artisan Wine & Spirits
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Take Your Pick
• Only 15 Bottles + 1 Magnum + 1 3-Liter · All Arriving Friday 11/13
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