Stag's Leap Wine Cellars : Cask 23 2020

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions for Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 2020

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep, brilliant garnet hue.

Nose

The nose unveils remarkable complexity with fresh aromas of red and black currant, black tea, anise, and nutmeg. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward notes of chocolate mousse, ripe plum, crushed raspberry, and violet, complemented by touches of coffee, mocha, and baked spices.

Palate

On the palate, this wine expresses a striking balance between richness and finesse. The attack is vibrant and full, carried by velvety, flavorful tannins. The palate reveals flavors of blackcurrant, dark berries, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and spices, supported by well-balanced acidity. The texture is luxurious and refined, while the finish lingers at length with notes of dark chocolate, anise, and dark fruit.

Food and Wine Pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with braised short ribs with porcini powder served with polenta, pork with Calabrian chiles and honey alongside roasted apples, or a truffle and goat cheese risotto with prosciutto, arugula, and aged balsamic vinegar. It also pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted meats, lamb, game, and aged cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

The Cask 23 2020 can be enjoyed now but offers aging potential over several decades. Decanting will allow its aromatic complexity to fully emerge.

A rich and elegant Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The Estate

Founded in 1970 by Warren Winiarski, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars made history in 1976 at the Judgment of Paris, where its 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon outperformed Bordeaux’s greatest classified growths. Since 2023, the estate has belonged to the prestigious Italian Marchesi Antinori family, founded in the 14th century. Located in the Stags Leap District in Napa Valley, this California estate spans approximately 300 acres of vineyards, including the iconic S.L.V. and FAY parcels. The first estate in the district to be certified in Regenerative Organic Agriculture, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars continues its commitment to excellence by combining traditional winemaking techniques with contemporary innovations. Now led by Juan Muñoz-Oca and vineyard manager Marcus Notaro, the estate continues to produce wines comparable to the world’s greatest crus.

The Vineyard

The Cask 23 2020 comes from a selection of the finest lots from the estate’s two emblematic vineyards: S.L.V. and FAY. The S.L.V. vineyard, planted in 1970 over 35 acres, lies on young volcanic soils offering excellent drainage and a distinctive mineral composition. The FAY vineyard, acquired in 1986 and whose history dates back to 1961, spans 66 acres of soils composed of fine clay loam and volcanic alluvium. Located in the Stags Leap District in Napa Valley, these vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate created by the Stags Leap Palisades—sandstone cliffs that reflect sunlight during the day and channel cool breezes at night—promoting optimal grape ripening while preserving acidity.

The Vintage

The year 2020 was a particularly challenging vintage for Napa Valley. A dry, hot growing season, combined with several wildfires, created exceptionally stressful viticultural conditions. A crucial rainfall at flowering enabled a natural fruit drop, balancing the crop despite the drought. Waves of extreme heat—especially over Labor Day weekend—along with the LNU Lightning Complex and the Glass Fire in late September, required especially attentive vineyard management. The team successfully navigated these challenges through strategic irrigation and by physically lowering the wires on the hot side of the canopy to protect clusters from overheating.

Winemaking and Aging

The Cask 23 2020 is crafted according to a philosophy that prioritizes terroir, complexity, and balance. Parcel-by-parcel vinification makes it possible to differentiate the two source vineyards: specifically selected yeasts guide FAY toward perfumed notes and S.L.V. toward cocoa powder nuances. The rack-and-return technique is tailored to each tank. The Cask 23 2020 was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels, with a selection of lightly toasted barrels for FAY and more powerful barrels for S.L.V., allowing for harmonious oak integration and optimal expression of each terroir.

Grape Varieties

A typical blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Cabernet Franc.