Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "S.L.V." Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
(Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California) - [DM 96] [VM 96] [WA 94-96]
Regular price $350.00 Sale price $224.97 Save $125.03
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:
The 2018 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon has generous aromas of violet, plum dark fruit, cocoa dust and graphite. On the palate the wine has a rich, gravelly structure with pure fruit, dusty tannins and a long, savory finish. The tannin structure, dark fruit, and pleasing minerality point to this wine’s ability to age.
Food Pairing:
Enjoy with Dirty Rice and Andouille Sausage, Birria Beef Tacos, or Mushroom Ravioli with Arrabiata Sauce.
Vineyards & Winemaking:
As most of the 1970s-era vines have aged past their grape-producing prime, they have been gradually replanted, perpetuating the life of this historic vineyard. For this wine the primary blocks were 2A, 3A, 1A, 3B and S.L.V. Block 4 – the “grande dame” of the vineyard – which was planted in 1972. These vines along with blocks on the eastern side of S.L.V., characterized by their fire-borne volcanic soils, give this wine its structure and sense of minerality along with concentrated dark fruit flavors and ripe, elegant tannins. Vines in alluvial soils in the western part of the vineyard add vibrant fruit accent notes and heady aromatics. Each lot was vinified and aged separately in small French oak barrels for 20 months, allowing the characteristics of each block to develop. With this vintage, Winemaker Marcus Notaro used careful barrel selection to marry the unique graphite, dark fruit and cocoa characters of S.L.V. to the barrel type and toast level. In the latter stages of aging, the barrel lots were blended to create this 2018 offering.
Aging: 21 months, 100% new French oak
Alcohol: 15%
TA: 0.56g/100ml
Fermentation: 100% stainless steel tank
Malolactic Fermentation: 100%
Barrel Ageing: 20 months, 100% new French oak
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley (100% estate)
Release Date: May 2021
Cases Produced: 2,750
Ratings & Reviews
97 Points - James Suckling
"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." (6/15/2021)
95-97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V., a barrel sample, reveals a deep garnet-purple color and expressive notions of blackberry preserves, black cherry coulis and warm cassis with suggestions of eucalyptus, dark chocolate, lavender and tobacco leaf." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (2/26/2021)
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:
The 2018 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon has generous aromas of violet, plum dark fruit, cocoa dust and graphite. On the palate the wine has a rich, gravelly structure with pure fruit, dusty tannins and a long, savory finish. The tannin structure, dark fruit, and pleasing minerality point to this wine’s ability to age.
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:
As most of the 1970s-era vines have aged past their grape-producing prime, they have been gradually replanted, perpetuating the life of this historic vineyard. For this wine the primary blocks were 2A, 3A, 1A, 3B and S.L.V. Block 4 – the “grande dame” of the vineyard – which was planted in 1972. These vines along with blocks on the eastern side of S.L.V., characterized by their fire-borne volcanic soils, give this wine its structure and sense of minerality along with concentrated dark fruit flavors and ripe, elegant tannins. Vines in alluvial soils in the western part of the vineyard add vibrant fruit accent notes and heady aromatics. Each lot was vinified and aged separately in small French oak barrels for 20 months, allowing the characteristics of each block to develop. With this vintage, Winemaker Marcus Notaro used careful barrel selection to marry the unique graphite, dark fruit and cocoa characters of S.L.V. to the barrel type and toast level. In the latter stages of aging, the barrel lots were blended to create this 2018 offering.
Technical Information
Blend: 100% Cabernet SauvignonAging: 21 months, 100% new French oak
Alcohol: 15%
TA: 0.56g/100ml
Fermentation: 100% stainless steel tank
Malolactic Fermentation: 100%
Barrel Ageing: 20 months, 100% new French oak
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley (100% estate)
Release Date: May 2021
Cases Produced: 2,750
Ratings & Reviews
97 Points - James Suckling"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." (6/15/2021)
95-97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V., a barrel sample, reveals a deep garnet-purple color and expressive notions of blackberry preserves, black cherry coulis and warm cassis with suggestions of eucalyptus, dark chocolate, lavender and tobacco leaf." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (2/26/2021)