S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, fact sheet (hentet 17. okt. 2026): 2023 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon – 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc; appellation: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley; mark: S.L.V.; alkohol 14.0%; høst: October 19 to November 2, 2023; fadlagring: 21 months, 100% new French oak. Om vinen (producentens tekst, engelsk): S.L.V. CABERNET SAUVIGNON S.L.V., also known as Stag’s Leap Vineyards, is the winery’s first vineyard. This vineyard achieved international fame after the 1973 vintage stunned the wine world when it bested some of France’s greatest wines in a 1976 blind tasting known as the “Judgment of Paris”. Today, this vineyard continues to produce wines with layers of complexity, spicy intensity and excellent structure. Vinmarker og vinifikation (producentens tekst, engelsk): For this wine, the primary blocks used were 3A, 2A, 1, 2B, and 2C. These vines, along with those on the eastern side of S.L.V., are characterized by their volcanic soils. This unique combination contributes to the wine's structure and minerality, along with concentrated dark fruit flavors and ripe, elegant tannins. Årgangen (producentens tekst, engelsk): The 2023 vintage is the 50th anniversary of S.L.V. winning the historic Judgment of Paris blind tasting. Coincidentally, 2023 ended up being similar in character to the winning 1973 vintage. It is among the coolest growing seasons in Napa Valley in the past ten-plus years, resulting in wines that are exceptionally flavorful, expressive, and have strong potential to age for decades to come. Winter brought ample rainfall that filled reservoirs and enriched soils with lasting saturation. Cool conditions led to a later than average bud break in mid-April, with continued cold weather throughout bloom. Summer was a classic for Napa Valley, with the cool sea breeze all season long that resulted in a slow and even ripening period. No significant heat waves occurred in late August or early September, so grape clusters developed beautifully. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars saw higher than average yields across all its estate vineyards. September progressed without extreme weather, so Cabernet continued a slow, steady, and even ripening period, producing remarkable wines. The 2023 Cabernets are dark in color with varietally expressive aromatics, full of complexity and character. These wines have vibrant acidity, rich, flavorful structures, and lengthy tannins. Vinen (producentens tekst, engelsk): The wine leads with dark fruit aromas on the nose intertwined with cocoa, baking spices, cassis, and subtle cedar spice. The palate is rich and firmly structured, revealing gravelly and iron-tinged mineral nuances. Dark chocolate emerges toward the end, carrying through a persistent, well-structured finish.