2017 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon

ABOUT STAGS LEAP DISTRICT

Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, lies the bountiful region of Stags Leap District, where the legacy of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars began. This premier wine-producing region, known for its unique terroir and exceptional wines, was made internationally renowned by our S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon at the famed Judgment of Paris Wine Tasting Competition.

VINEYARDS AND WINEMAKING

Winemaker Marcus Notaro crafted this wine exclusively for the tasting room. The wine is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon (primarily from FAY Block 2) and 21% Cabernet Franc (from S.L.V. Block 2C). The wine was aged for 27 months in 100% new French oak.

VINTAGE

The 2017 vintage was a memorable one with more than its fair share of historic challenges – but it resulted in very high-quality fruit at lower yields. We started with a wet winter that brought much-needed water after several years of drought. Spring and summer temperatures alternated between unusually cool and unusually hot with a record-breaking heat wave over Labor Day weekend. Just as harvest was reaching its final crescendo, on October 8th tragic wildfires broke out that burned throughout Napa and Sonoma counties. At Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, the Atlas Peak fire burned right down to the edge of the estate vineyards. Thankfully the vineyard served as a giant fire break and the winery was undamaged and our employees were safe. We give a special thank you to the cellar and maintenance teams who demonstrated incredible dedication to wine quality in restoring power to the winery and caring for the fermenting wines under extreme conditions.

TASTING NOTES

This vintage of Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon offers bright aromas of licorice, plum, black cherry along with hints of cedar and clove. The wine has a savory entry with ripe, polished tannins and lingering berry flavors.