Stags Leap District Winegrowers: A Collaboration
Background
After receiving the grapes at these 15 wineries, each evening's harvest was sorted, destemmed and meticulously crafted into its own distinct lot of exceptional quality utilizing the uncompromising efforts of multiple cellar teams. After seeing elevage in new French oak barrels for one year, these lots were provided to a winemaking committee selected by its peers.
Upon rigorous evaluation, a diamond hewn from the rough was blended, and laid to rest in the cellar for several more months. This allowed the 100% new French oak cooperage to properly integrate with the flavors of the elixirs proffered by 15 neighborhood teams known to be outstanding in their field. Being bottled unfined and unfiltered, the attributes of this appellation and the craftsmanship of our dedicated vintners are the ultimate expression of our terroir.
Tasting Notes
2022 was a perfect vintage to be growing fruit in the Stags Leap District. Thanks to our location towards the south end of the Napa Valley, the fog from San Pablo Bay offered up just the right amount of respite from the warmth for which the vintage is well known. As a result, this wine presents fresh fruit notes balanced by the typical weight and power for which the District is world renowned. The nose enters with mouth-watering aromatics of wild strawberry and hints of sage. Across the palate, round and broad tannins envelope the mouth accompanied by notes of Bing cherry and blueberry compote. These fruit notes are balanced by those of barn-dried tobacco and cocoa nibs offered up by the exceptional cooperage within which elevage was achieved. Lightly wavering notes of poached plums and strawberry jam intertwine with bay leaf on the back of the palate which is nicely focused by the slightly drying tannins. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine tastes great now but will continue to evolve with even more layers of complexity with a few years of cellar age.
Technical Information
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: 100% Stags Leap District
Cooperage: 20 months in 100% new French Oak
Alcohol: 15.5%
Production: Only four barrels (100 cases) crafted
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