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Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association

2012 Tasting Notes

Baldacci Family Vineyards

2012 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Rolando Herrera Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 22 months in French oak; 60% new Tasting Profile: Our commitment to crafting single vineyard and single varietal wines continues with the 13th vintage grown from our Stags Leap District vineyard. The 2012 Black Label exhibits a healthy, deep ruby and purple color, surprising depth, ripeness and juicy fruit and more richness.
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Chimney Rock Winery

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ganymede Vineyard

Winemaker: Elizabeth Vianna Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 18 months in new French oak Tasting Profile: Chimney Rock has built its reputation on the production of small single vineyard Cabernets from Stags Leap District. The aromatics are as rich as its inky purple color. Complexity and nuance abound with aromas of black cherry, blackberry with hints of cocoa powder, vanilla and a hint of dried sage. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied with a luscious mid-palate; powerful and silky tannins end with a bright, long finish.
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Cliff Lede Vineyards

2012 Beautiful Generation, Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Christopher Tynan Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot Barrel Age and Type: 18 months in French oak; 80% new Tasting Profile: Dark and inviting, with enticing, explosive aromas of wild cherry, red currants and cassis, along with alluring hints of sandalwood and pain grillé. Silky and plush tannins with crushed rock mineral notes make this wine irresistible now, but patience will be rewarded with cellar aging over the next twenty years.
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Clos Du Val

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Kristy Melton Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Barrel Age and Type: 24 months in French oak; 50% new Tasting Profile: Dark, elegant and rich with aromas of black fruits, mocha and spice. The palate has complex notes of forest fruits, dark espresso and vanilla and the mouthfeel is balanced and creamy. The tannins are classically well-structured, velvety, and integrated, making this wine approachable now but also cellar worthy for decades.
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Hartwell Vineyards

2012 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Benoit Touquette Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Barrel Age and Type: 18 months in 100% new French oak Tasting Profile: Showcasing aromatic notes of soft ripe and dark fruits, blackberries, red cherries and restrained oak flavors, the 2012 Reserve has a perfect balance between the primary fruit flavors of Creme de Cassis, chocolate, raspberry, blueberry, mocha and cooked cranberries along with our estate vineyard terroir characteristics of licorice and sweet tobacco leaf.
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Ilsley Vineyards

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Heather Pyle Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 1% Cabernet franc Barrel Age and Type: 22 months in French oak; 60% new Tasting Profile: This wine exhibits the deepest ruby red color. The aromas combine ripe, bing cherry, cocoa and red raspberry with allspice and a touch of vanilla. The flavors are rich upon entry with black cherry and allspice. The wine is very soft and approachable, but has sufficient tannin to age for many, many years to come.
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Lindstrom Wines

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Celia Welch Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 18 months in French oak Tasting Profile: Classically Stags Leap District in character, this fully ripe Cabernet shows bright cherry and mocha tones on the aromas. Open and expressive immediately upon opening, this wine will develop more nuanced dark tones of sandalwood, almond and warm raspberries with time in the glass. On the palate, the wine is bright with fresh fruit flavors.
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Malk Family Vineyards

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Robbie Meyer Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 20 months in French oak; 75% new Tasting Profile: Dark, vibrant color reveals this wine's depth and elegance. The nose offers classic ripe black currant aromas highlighted by beautiful floral qualities, light clove, spice, milk chocolate, vanilla and interesting mineral notes of crushed gravel from the loamy and volcanic soils in which the grapes are grown. While the weighty palate is incredibly supple, there is plenty of concentration to carry it for many years of enjoyment. More Information

Odette Estate Winery

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Jeff Owens Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc Barrel Age and Type: 20 months in French oak; 80% new Tasting Profile: A phenomenal showcase of the vintage, the 2012 boasts voluptuous, silky-soft integrated tannins supported by great acidity expressing the uniqueness of our estate vineyard's terroir. Notes of black cherries, raspberries, black currant, violets, sweet spice and anise can be found on the palate and nose, all with incredible density and underlying minerality.
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Pine Ridge Vineyards

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Michael Beaulac Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec Barrel Age and Type: 18 months in French oak; 60% new Tasting Profile: The 2012 flaunts an opaque ruby hue and a lush bouquet of ripe red cherry, raspberry and plum aromas beneath layers of cinnamon sugar, sweet sage and licorice. The entry is plush and silky with flavors of cherry preserves, red currant and ripe blackberry with hints of vanilla toast, crème brûlée and lavender soda with a structured lingering finish, supported by fine, velvety tannins.
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Regusci Winery

2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Bertus van Zyl; Consultant: Charles Hendricks Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Merlot Barrel Age and Type: 20 months in 100% American oak; 40% new Tasting Profile: Aromatics include blackberry, pencil shavings, vanilla, coriander, cumin and smoky cedar. On the palate, this wine boasts ripe fruit that is very well balanced with spice and savory notes. It has great textural density and complexity, with a broad mid-palate and a concentrated finish.
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Robinson Family Vineyards

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Winemaker: Kristof Anderson & Tom Jinks Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 30 months in new French oak Tasting Profile: This limited Reserve shows the truest expression of varietal and vineyard. Deep flavors and complex layers result from the afternoon sun exposure of our west facing hillsides. Aromas are rich with bing cherry and sweet vanilla. In the mouth, dark blackberry fruit is highlighted by warm currant notes accented by a sweet cedar finish. While supple and lush, this wine has the depth to age, but will not disappoint if enjoyed sooner.
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Shafer Vineyards

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five

Winemaker: Elias Fernandez Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot Barrel Age and Type: 20 months in 100% new French oak (Allier and Vosges) Tasting Profile: Striking an enticing balance between liveliness and density, this vintage offers plush, round aromas of dark fruit and herbs followed by a mouth-filling blend of blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, cassis, herbs and mocha. The whole package bears the stamp of Stags Leap District with ripe, easy-to-love tannins and a long, complete finish.
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Silverado Vineyards

2012 SOLO, Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Jon Emmerich Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 18 months in 100% French oak; 45% new Tasting Profile: Elegant, defined by good structure and balance. Aromas of plum and black cherry with cocoa and earth notes in the background. Full-bodied with lush but not overripe fruit on the mid-palate. Seamless from entry through the long persistent finish.
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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

2012 Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Marcus Notaro Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 21 months in French oak; 85% new Tasting Profile: Elegant and inviting with aromas of violet, cinnamon, vanilla clove and boysenberry. The wine has a silky, velvety texture and rich fruit core that allows the wine to flow over the mid-palate and merge with the signature bright red cherry notes of the vineyard. The 2012 FAY has great persistence and length, promising long life.
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Stags' Leap Winery

2012 The Leap The Leap Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Christophe Paubert Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 20 months in French oak; 50% new Tasting Profile: The Leap opens with alluring aromas of black plum compote, black cherry, black raspberry and a welcome hint of cocoa powder. With distinct, fine tannins, this Estate Cabernet still remains pleasantly silky and complex, and exhibits the iconic power and longevity that have become synonymous with The Leap.
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Steltzner Vineyards

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Martini Clone

Winemaker: Bob Pepi Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 20 months French oak; 60% new Tasting Profile: A single vineyard bottling from our Estate Vineyards focusing on the Martini Clonal selection acquired in the early 1960's. Deep violet notes with beautiful hints of red fruits on the nose. Rich raspberry, toasted almond and graphite on the palate. A classic Stags Leap District wine with a dense but elegant tannin structure.
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Taylor Family Vineyards

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Winemaker: Gustavo Brambila Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Age and Type: 36 months in 100% new French oak Tasting Profile: Our Reserve is dark in color with vibrant black cherry, blackberry and notes of cassis, tobacco, cocoa and violet. Classic, velvety Stags Leap District tannins round out the palate with power and grace. This vintage can be enjoyed now or aged for years to come.
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Terlato Family Vineyards

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Elizabeth Vianna Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc Barrel Age and Type: 18 months in new French oak Tasting Profile: The Terlato family is dedicated to producing extraordinary wines from esteemed appellations. This graceful 2012 shows aromas of cherry, blueberry, hints of clove and cocoa. A full burst of fruit on the palate is followed by soft tannins and a long, round finish. Showy aromatics partner with finesse and graceful texture for a beautifully balanced Cabernet.
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