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Cabernet Sauvignon SLV 2022 Napa Valley, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is deeply rooted in Napa Valley’s wine legends. S.L.V., also known as Stag’s Leap Vineyard, is the winery’s first vineyard. Planted in 1970, this vineyard achieved international fame with a wine crafted from three-year-old vines during the 1973 harvest. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has been jointly owned and operated by a partnership between Tuscany's Antinori family and Washington's Chateau Ste. Michelle since 2007. Winemaker Marcus Notaro joined Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in 2013, arriving from another Antinori-CSM joint venture, Col Solare in Washington State. After nearly a decade, it seems clear that he's becoming more and more comfortable with the role and the local conditions. The core of the property are the two adjoining vineyards: S.L.V., planted by Winiarski in 1970, and Fay, which Winiarski purchased from neighbor Nathan Fay in 1986. S.L.V. is the estate's darker side, with more cocoa powder and a dustier feel. Today, S.L.V vineyard encompasses roughly 35 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.5 acres of Cabernet Franc. The vineyard soil is volcanic and alluvial, with good drainage, and benefits from warm afternoons and cool evening breezes. S.L.V., also known as Stag’s Leap Vineyards, is the winery’s first vineyard. Today, this vineyard continues to produce wines with layers of complexity, spicy intensity and excellent structure. THE 2022 VINTAGE: The 2022 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon entices the senses with its captivating aromas of dark fruits, including blackcurrants and ripe plums, beautifully intertwined with delicate notes of violets, graphite, and rich dark chocolate, all rounded o by the warmth of black tea. Flavors showcase a richness and texture that impresses from the outset. The tannins reveal a minerality that adds depth and character, while the youthful mouthfeel elevates the experience. As the wine lingers on the palate, complex layers of espresso, mocha, and dark fruit emerge, crafting a finish that is both sophisticated and unforgettable.
Country: USA
Region: Kalifornien
Producer/appellation: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Wine type: Red wines
Year: 2022
Content: 75 cl
Oranic/bio dynamic: No

95

Joe Czerwinski

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. kicks off with masses of black cherries and cassis, plus hints of dark chocolate. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety in feel, perhaps even a touch open-knit in character, but it shows great length and freshness on the lingering finish. Now wholly owned by Tuscany's Antinori family, this historic property's winemaking remains in the capable hands of Marcus Notaro. Notaro previously worked with the Ste. Michelle-Antinori partnership up in Washington State and seems comfortable with how things have turned out. As an example of the renewed pursuit of quality over quantity, the Antinoris even sacrificed a portion of vineyard for an irrigation pond, which I was told is referred to jokingly as Lake Antinori. On this visit, I was able to taste the 2021s and 2022s from bottle and prospective blends of the still-in-barrel 2023s. The 2021 Fay and S.L.V. were released in May, with the 2021 Cask 23 scheduled to be released in October 2024. The 2022s were bottled the week before my visit and won't be released until 2025, the 2023s will be bottled next August and released in 2026. 10/2024


96

Jim Gordon

James Suckling

Though slightly restrained at this young age, this is an outstanding wine with the structure and depth of flavor typical of this estate-grown bottling. Blackberries, dried blueberries, creme de cassis, cedar and cinnamon are layered on the palate. Tannins are fine-grained, velvety and well integrated. Drinkable now but best from 2029. 05/2025


98

Colin Hay

The Drinks Business

(Napa; 98% Cabernet Sauvignon; 2% Cabernet Franc; the vineyard made famous from the tasting of Paris; pH 3.89; 14.8% alcohol). Incense. Cordite. Flint. Violet and red rose petals. Dense. Intense. Tight. Concentrated. Compact. Full. Rich. Impressively fresh. Svelte. That touch of candlewax again on the palate. Impressive in its disguised power. Iron fist; velvet glove!


95

Georgina Hindle

Decanter

Toasted caramel and blackcurrants on the nose. Some ripe cherry aromas too. Juicy, this has concentration but is well presented, almost delicately with quite a straightforward and direct expression rather than being overly fleshy or wide. Well made, with precision - fruit purity alongside quite a spiced liquorice finish. Interesting, feels very hands off. 3.89pH. Ageing 20 months, 100% new oak. Owners the Antinori family with winemaker Marcus Notaro.