Stag's Leap Wine Cellars : S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Characteristics and tasting tips for the S.L.V 2022 by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Tasting

Nose
Dark fruit, cassis, ripe plums, violets, graphite, dark chocolate, and black tea blend into a rich and expressive nose.

Palate
A full-textured attack leads to a palate where fresh and deep tannins extend to a finish with notes of espresso, mocha, and dark fruit.

Food and wine pairing

Steak Diane, duck confit with roasted figs, or ravioli in Arrabbiata sauce are elegant pairings for this great Californian wine.

A balanced and aromatic fine wine from Napa Valley

The Producer

Founded in 1970, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has become a benchmark among great Napa Valley wines over the years. As pioneers, the estate's founders replanted a plot that had previously served as an orchard with vines, primarily planting Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety that was scarce in the area at the time. This marked the beginning of an unprecedented revolution that would shape the history of American wine.

A few years later, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars won the competition for the best Cabernet Sauvignon at the famous 1976 "Judgment of Paris" blind tasting, beating out prestigious French wines. The estate's legend was born.

Since 2007, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has been under the joint management of the American firm Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and the Antinori family.

The Wine

Also known as Stag's Leap Vineyards, S.L.V is the estate's historic vineyard site. Planted in 1970, this terroir produced a wine three years later that became an icon after winning the competition for the best Cabernet Sauvignon at the famous 1976 "Judgment of Paris" blind tasting, ahead of prestigious French wines.

Over the years, this great Napa Valley wine has been recognized for its complexity, intense spicy notes, structure, and significant aging potential.

The S.L.V cuvée is produced from vineyards planted as part of an extensive, gradual replanting program designed to preserve this historic vineyard. This mosaic of terroirs specifically includes plots with volcanic soils, which lend the wine a blend of structure and minerality, as well as intense dark fruit notes and elegant tannins. The western part of the vineyard, with its alluvial soils, enhances the wine's fruity and aromatic expression.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (98%) and Cabernet Franc (2%).