Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "S.L.V." Cabernet Sauvignon 1986 - 1.5 Liter -
(Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California)

About the Winery:
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, notably known for being the winery that won the Cabernet Sauvignon competition in the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris, was founded in 1970, and is considered a Napa Valley first-growth estate.

"Our signature style has often been described as “an iron fist in a velvet glove,” a reference to the artful balance between ripeness and restraint, softness and structure, that yields Napa Valley wines of exceptional beauty and long life. Achieving that style requires a level of attention to detail found only among the world’s best and most dedicated wine producers."

Tasting Notes:

Food Pairing:
Enjoy with Dirty Rice and Andouille Sausage, Birria Beef Tacos, or Mushroom Ravioli with Arrabiata Sauce.

About this Wine

S.L.V., also known as Stag’s Leap Vineyards, is the winery’s first vineyard. Planted in 1970, this vineyard achieved international fame when three-year- old vines from the 1973 harvest produced a wine that stunned the wine world when it bested some of France’s greatest wines in a 1976 blind tasting known as the “Judgment of Paris.” Today, this history-making vineyard continues to produce wines with layers of complexity, spicy intensity and excellent structure—promising long life and ageability.

Vineyards & Winemaking:
The Cabernet Sauvignon from our SLV estate vineyard was picked over a two week peri­od from September 7th to September 21st. The fruit exhibited a firm acid structure which enhanced its berry aroma and flavors. A combination of both short skin contact and extended maceration fermentation was used to extract the right amount of tannin to balance the fruit qualities. Following fermentation, the wine was lightly egg white fined and clarified. It rested 15 months in new and used French oak barrels with toast levels ranging from light to heavy. After barrel aging, the wine was again lightly egg white fined and bottled. In the glass this Cabernet Sauvignon has the earthy/spicy aromas of autumn leaves. A brambly character is balanced by a sweet, toasty oak dimension. The fruit holds continuously to the finish, which is deep, long and velvety. We consider this SLV to be in the top ranks of vintages from this vineyard.