CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon

As with other wines in the Cask series, this is an exceedingly complex wine of great depth, but with supple edges. Like the 1974, it was a selection and blending from the best lots of the vintage. In it, we tried to amplify the style for which this vineyard is noted: iron in the structure, velvet in the flesh, and these two opposite elements held together in an elegant balance and harmony. These stylistic features are enhanced for the first time this year (due,one supposes, to the increasing age of the vines) with a lovely, cedary complexity in the nose. It is highly reminiscent of the bouquet of the finest Clarets. We believe this wine to be an outstanding example of our pioneering attempts to combine the best qualities of the old world Cabernet Sauvignon with those of the new. At the 1983 International Wine and Spirit Competition in England, this wine was awarded both a gold medal for the Cabernet class, and the Harry Waugh trophy for the best California red wine in the competition.

This long awaited wine, tasted many times in pre-release tastings with impress­ively favorable results, is being made available at this time. While it will benefit from additional aging, the outline of its exemplary qualities are now so evident that we have decided to make it available to the general public.

In our opinion, it will be the most outstanding example of the wine tradition embodied in the Cask 23 series so far. This is so because, in keeping with the more mature stage of the life of the vineyard, we intend to revise the com­position goals of the future Cask 23 aeries. Thus, in more ways than one, this wine will be a kind of culmination for the youthful period of the vineyards life, and future cask bottlings will reflect the subtleties appropriate to the confidence of its maturity.

As Stag’s Leap Vineyards flourish, our Cabernet Sauvignons are taking on additional complexities. The 1979 Cask 23 gives evidence of the vineyard’s maturity in its re­strained, self-confident style. This is another of the superb ‘reserve’ bottlings from this outstanding vineyard. You will remember that the Cask 23 designation is not used every year. 1979 was our eighth year of production and the fourth year of the Cask bottlings. Of additional interest for this release, you should be aware that in the 1979 season, most California Cabernets were reduced in complexity because the fairly early rains had a diluting effect on the grape skins. However, because of the favorable location of the fruit that went into this wine, the grapes were harvested at full maturity before the rain.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1983 Cask 23 is the first Cabernet Sauvignon worthy of the Cask 23 designation since the 1979 vintage. This designation is reserved for vintages of exceptional fruit and elegance. The development of SLV, our vineyard planted in 1970, has provided us with bolder, richer fruit supported by a substantial tannic backbone. When the fruit from this prized vineyard arrived at the winery in 1983, each grape looked as if it had been cut by a jeweler. An intense garnet, the wine’s color has gained depth and brilliance. A delightful fruits de bois aroma.

We are proud to announce the release of our 1984 Cabernet Sauvignon, SLV, Cask Twenty-Three. The Cask Twenty-Three designation is reserved for vintages of exceptional merit.

In 1984, rains ceased by the end of February and mild weather brought the vines out of dormancy weeks ahead of schedule, Extremely warm summer days hastened ripening, and the harvest began two or three weeks early. The early bud break actually allowed the fruit to stay on the parent vine for a normal length of time. This meant that there was no premature separation of fruit and nourishing vine, allowing the grapes to go through a normal evolution. There were no early fall showers, and the fruit
was picked in outstanding condition. The resulting wine is voluptuous in fruit with good supporting tannins and aromas of crushed violets and cedar. In the mouth, the taste of black plum and white pepper combines with assertive French oak. A fine acidity and a resonant finish promise longevity.

We are pleased to announce the release of our Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1985 Cask 23.

In order to understand the character of a particular vintage, it is frequently necessary to go backwards in time and understand how the character of the previous vintage might be an influence. In reflecting upon the 1985 vintage, you will remember that the 1984 harvest was one of the earliest ever. The vines were relieved of the need to ripen their fruit early in the season and before they, so to speak, were “closed down” by very cool nights and typical fall hints that dormancy was on the way. Thus the vines had what might be regarded as a period of coasting along, or as we like to term it, “leisure” without the burden of the fruit.

We are pleased to announce the release of the 1986 Cask 23.

The aroma is deeply complex, imbued with the cedary, dry leaf character typical of SL V Cabernets. The Cask 23 version of our vineyard’s characteristics presents a higher level of magnitude than that of the prized SLV from the same vintage. Supple and velvety on the lips, this wine introduces itself in the mouth as easily and without effort as breathing. Firm texture, spicy flavor and strength balance the gentleness of the first impression and bring together, once more in 1986, the compelling combina­tion described as a “velvet glove surrounding an iron fist.” The finish is firm, with a bit of tannin still to find its place within the composition of the whole palate.

Warm weather early in the growing season and mild drought conditions in 1987 partially explain the early harvest and low yields from SLV, our estate vineyard from which Cask 23 is made. A generally cooler than normal spring followed the heat spell, allowing the grapes to mature and ripen uniformly without any further extremes in their growing environment. The contrasting weather conditions of 1987 created fruit which expressed a balanced, moderate structure and supple fruit character. The vineyard blocks in SLV which promised Cask 23 quality fruit were harvested during the first three weeks in September.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ release of our 1990 Cask 23, (only the tenth in 21 years of production), begins a new era for this proprietary designation.

A blend which for the first time includes grapes from the Fay Vineyard also shows the benefits derived from viticultural practices begun in 1986 in both Fay and S.L.V. estate vineyards.

The use of Fay Vineyard fruit marks the culmination of more than twenty-five years of pioneering and winemaking. The taste of Nathan Fay’s homemade 1968 Cabernet led to the search for vineyard in the area. Nathan was the first grape grower to plant Cabernet Sauvignon thirty years ago in what is now the “Stags Leap District” appellation. At that time there were only 700 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in the entire state of California, and no Cabernet south of Rutherford. (Now, by contrast, there are 34,000 acres of Cabernet in California and 9,800 acres in the Napa Valley.) Nathan’s Cabernet Sauvignon was the epitome of what we were looking for in the varietal, and Cask 23 is the peak of that quality we
refer to as the iron fist in the velvet glove.

This wine’s deep flush of garnet evokes vivid imaginings of plump, deep red-purple fruit so ripe as to fall right from the vine. Heady aromas of nutmeg, cherry, and crushed violets make one’s mouth water and lead to new magnitudes in flavor. Ripe, spicy cherry and blackberry flavors are supported by lush tannin and an enveloping finish. This vintage of Cask 23 has a seductive, imme­diate appeal. It’s a wine that takes one into itself through enchantment; it is one of the outstanding Cask bottlings. Try with loin of venison in a cranberry, mandarin glaze or duck with a blackberry reduction.

Refined tannins, like raw silk, fold together briary flavors of black plum, sage and currant. All elongate in a leisurely finish whetting the desire for more. Try with pheasant roasted with apricots and walnuts or a goat cheese and basil tart.

Generous lush fruit is augmented by traces of nutmeg and vanilla. Satiny tannins recall the black cherry and violet elements of the aroma in a sensuous finish. Try with grilled duck with a black currant glaze or blue costello and walnut strudel.

The full velvety texture of this wine evokes an image of ripened blackberries ready to drop from the bush. Sleek fruit qualities rest elegantly upon a framework of silky tannins and subdued spice. A lush plummy core slowly recedes as vanillan edges begin to soften. As a wonderful accompaniment to this noble red wine, you might choose sautéd filet mignon served with truffles and Madeira or roast-eggplant lasagne with caramelized onions, smoked mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

The gentle grip of tannins supports a mantle of lush fruit that seems to resonate on the palate. Threads of spice and vanilla entwine in long echoes of blackberry and currant. This is a wine of splendor and great proportion. Try with grilled lamb served in a green peppercorn sauce, or a selection of fine pungent cheeses and French bread.

Like colors on the canvas from one of the great impressionistic painters, the perfumes of the 1997 CASK 23 evolve like an aromatic landscape; truffle, black currant, allspice and sandalwood beguile through layers of roasted herbs, violets and rose petals. The entry is at once imposing and round. Deep, concentrated flavors reflect those in the aroma, resting on a podium of elegant, fine-grained tannins. The finish magnifies the whole, allowing for one glorious moment, absolute contentment.

This is not a wine for the faint of heart. Who said 1998 was a weak vintage? Open this wine when you have a very long evening to savor its magnificent journey along a sensual path of great beauty. The fiery and intense elements of S.L. V are softened by the gentle roundness of FAY. Aromas of cassis, wild strawberry, raspberry and black cherry come alive as if out of the heart of of a cedar cigar box just as it is opened. Trailing notes of wet leather, black and white pepper, vanilla and roasted almonds rest gently on a bed of dried violets. A red fruit entry transforms itself into silky plumminess. Power and finesse rest on a firm, yet discreet structure of fruit and oak tannins. The sensation lingers, reverberating like the memory of a great piece of music.

Like a poem whose apparently simple opening lines expand into a kaleidoscopic array of images and ideas, this wine beckons with a soft and elegant nose, then gradually reveals depths of flavor that keep unfolding through the long, tender finish. Aromas of roses and violets rise up in the glass, followed by cassis, plums, and blackberries, opening into clove, cinnamon and even a hint of tobacco. The palate is filled with similar kinds of sensations like black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and candied orange peel in dark, dark chocolate. Tannins and acidity are there, but only as supporting structure that remains very much in the background. This finely grained, full-bodied wine glides in the mouth on its way to a powerful, clean finish that goes on and on and begs for another taste.

Now, in its youth, the wine boasts subtle, yet richly complex, aromas: a heady combination of caramel and brown sugar, cedar and sandalwood, dark plums and black cherries, rosemary and bergamot. On the palate, the smooth entry opens to flavors of dark stone fruits and cassis, black olives, cloves, and vanilla, which extend through the lingering finish. This is a wine that can easily age for a decade and beyond. Decant an hour beforehand if you want to enjoy it now with lamb medallions in Cabernet-black olive sauce or caramelized-onion tarts with a side of braised endive.

Pouring this wine is like letting a genie out of the bottle: it gets bigger and bigger as the wine’s depth and breadth gradually reveal themselves. In the nose, you’ll notice berries, rosemary, and cardamom, while the palate fills with bright and creamy flavors of black plum, black olive, truffle, even a hint of chocolate-covered cherry. The smooth, very approachable entry reveals a luscious core of fruit down the center, while additional flavors fan out as the wine evolves in the mouth. The very long finish resonates like beautiful music-this wine just doesn’t stop! The 2001 CASK 23 promises to age exceedingly well, but enjoy it now with well-aged prime rib, bacon-wrapped quail, or a selection of artisan cheeses (rich Stilton, Gorgonzola, Morbier) accompanied by a spoonful of fig compote.

The 2002 CASK 23 is a wine of tremendous power and grace. Its inky, ruby-red color only hints at the intense, concentrated aromatics and flavors that follow. Complex flavors of red berries, black stone fruit, and cassis stand out against a backdrop of cinnamon Indian spice, and earthy forest floor notes. Perfectly balanced with a luscious, velvety mouthfeel, weU-integrated tannins, and a long, oak-sweetened finish, this seductive wine promises years of aging potential. Envision a well aged perfectly marbled rib eye steak, accompanied by roasted young potatoes and grilled endive. Add a glass of our 2002 CASK 23 and you’ve got a delectable evening meal appropriate for any special occasion.

The 2003 CASK 23 is a wine of rich flavors and luscious, supple tannins. It opens with welcoming aromas of savory spices that marry with floral notes and sweet dark fruit. These aromas evolve into warm scents of vanilla, espresso, and truffle with more time in the glass. This beautiful array is echoed on the palate with deep flavors of dark berries, cherries, and plums that combine with chocolate, espresso, and spicy notes. The wine’s complexity continues to unfold throughout a long, persistent finish.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.

The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct, the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth, richness, and elegance. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.