Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
92
/100
Reviews
25
professional
Vintages
1
2009
Other
92/100
Cabernet Sauvignon
NV
Community Reviews
2525
Reviews
92.0
Avg Score
96
Highest
Taster #9651
· Dec 25, 2025
82/100
opened up after 2-3 hours of decant, dark fruit not super prominent for me, but definitely oak and tobacco notes in front. finish remained quite short. nice but not quite what I hear it hyped up to be
2009 vintage
Taster #6634
· Aug 9, 2025
92/100
Agree with Somm David T. At this point (15+ yrs.), a halo of sediment around shoulders. Fine mellowing with age. Still drinking well.
2009 vintage
Taster #6049
· Oct 10, 2022
94/100
Maybe the best FAY I’ve had the pleasure of knowing
2009 vintage
Taster #9272
· Dec 22, 2019
91/100
Such a gorgeous layered nose. But the palate and finish don’t come close to matching it. Cassis, plum, herbs, spice, tea, oak, vanilla, some florals all roll out of the glass. Mouthfeel is velvety smooth. Stone fruit, ripe blackberry, lingering tea notes on the palate. Finish is super short. Still a bit of tannin and acid lingering in the bottle. Lots of sediment.
2009 vintage
Taster #0574
· Sep 14, 2019
95/100
For me, there is one Napa winery that was great in the pioneer days and lost their edge for a time but, has seriously reclaimed it. That winery is Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. It is largely overlooked with so many modern quality producers rising in the Napa Valley. This 09 Fay is outstanding in a way that is truly unique to Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The nose reveals, dark currants/cassis, deeply extracted; blackberries, black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum, black …
2009 vintage
Taster #6293
· Apr 21, 2019
91/100
4 hour decant. Ripe and sweet blackberry, cassis, and blackcurrant with black coffee and graphite notes on the back end. A bit monolithic though - I would have liked to see more complexity.
2009 vintage
Taster #4529
· Dec 26, 2018
93/100
This was an absolute big, big wine. Almost a bit unapproachable for a few of the casual wine drinkers at dinner. I found it delicious...big nose of dark fruit and a wonderful deep chocolate. Still full of tannins, with dark fruits, chocolate, and subtle earthy, spicy nuisances. This will have a long life from where my palate is. I have two left and have marked 3-5 more years as a good drinking window.
2009 vintage
Taster #6167
· May 18, 2018
93/100
Similar to my 4/6/18 note. In a great spot right now but it isn't going to get better but may stay here for a while longer. Wonderful soft tannis, silky smooth mouth feel with chocolate, spice, minerality. Soft and super balanced with a super long, lingering finish. Wonderful.
2009 vintage
Taster #6167
· Apr 6, 2018
93/100
What a difference a year makes. This wine is in the "zone" right now and in a beautiful spot. Dark color and throwing a fair amount of sediment. Luscious mouth feel of berry, cassis , chocolate with silky smooth tannins and a long finish. Note to self...Stags Leap Fay wines need 8-10 years of bottle age to lose the tart and open up. Try your 2012's in 2020 at the earliest. Should last a few more years but unlikely to …
2009 vintage
Taster #0258
· Jul 1, 2017
93/100
Garnet red color. Spicy peppery nose. Taste shows some cherry and a little tobacco with light tannins.
2009 vintage
Taster #6167
· Apr 1, 2017
90/100
Not sure what to make of last nights bottle except for a bit disappointing. Maybe it's in a dumb phase? Totally closed nose even after 2 1/2 hours as was the wine. When I first tasted it was not clear it was even a cab. Very young tasting & unapproachable. Thought maybe it was a blend but it's 100% cab. Confused about this & looking for more reviews on this.
2009 vintage
Taster #1290
· Dec 31, 2016
90/100
Lovely wine... strong nose that smells like a Cab should. Flavors still somewhat muted with plenty of structure for this to last the long haul. I have more but I'm not in any hurry with these. I think this gets better than it is today.
2009 vintage
Taster #2748
· Jun 5, 2015
96/100
Creamy vanilla, toast, coffee, complex.
2009 vintage
Taster #9493
· Aug 30, 2014
94/100
- Brick color.
2009 vintage
Taster #1998
· Jul 27, 2014
93/100
Always enjoy the Fay, the elegance and beautiful fruit
2009 vintage
Taster #4929
· Jul 8, 2014
90/100
Very pleasant steak wine with a client in Philly. Immediately accessible, but restrained. I could detect crisp cherries, smooth tannins, and a perceptible oak note that intensified as the night progressed. The oakiness definitely became increasingly pronounced over the 2h dinner. Cerebral and structured, but my senses were by no means overwhelmed. Understated.
2009 vintage
Taster #1998
· Jul 6, 2014
91/100
Drinking nicely - good acidity, good fruit and the classic Fay silkiness. Enjoyed quite a bit.
2009 vintage
Taster #8288
· Feb 15, 2014
92/100
Bright violet/beet appearance. Dusty, nose of black and blue fruit, cocoa, cedar, spice box, and a touch of cola. The palate is initially tight, youthful, and chewy, but an hour of air allows the rich, textured, layers of black currants, cherries, plums, and dark chocolate to come to the fore. Shows good extraction, balance, structure, and a buoyant minerality that pushes through the bright finish. Has yet to hit its stride but already delicious.
2009 vintage
Taster #3032
· Dec 20, 2013
93/100
Earthy and dark berries on the nose. Full bodied, almost velvety.
2009 vintage
Taster #5846
· Nov 10, 2013
91/100
Softer than expected. I think Artessa is a better value.
2009 vintage
Taster #6742
· Sep 15, 2013
92/100
Opened two bottles, one popped and drank, one decanted for a half hour. Definitely recommend decanting, as it shows closed right out of the bottle. Beautiful deep violet color, blackberry, black cherry, violet, coffee and subtle pipe tobacco notes are nicely concentrated on the nose. Nice intensity and focus throughout, with silky tannins and a long finish. Lacks the complexity and intensity of the 2001 or 2005, but a wonderful wine in it's own right
2009 vintage
Taster #8863
· Sep 14, 2013
94/100
Deep purple center, ruby red at the edge of the glass. Generous aromas of Cherry, black cherry, and oak on the nose. On the palate, vanilla, cherry, blueberry, a bit of oak but no oak monster here, hints of tobacco leaf and menthol. The wine has a minerality and earthiness that really give it its complexity. Tannins are gentle. Acidity is there but not overbearing, supportive. Black Cherry, berry, and pepper on the finish.
2009 vintage
Taster #0889
· Jun 25, 2013
92/100
Unbelievable as expected. High 90s and much improved over Artemis
2009 vintage
Taster #3852
· Jun 23, 2013
92/100
A fantastic wine!
2009 vintage
Taster #7179
· Apr 30, 2013
92/100
Crystal clear ruby red. This nose has a subtle but immensely appealing floral, perfumed quality, very lightly oaked. Pure and primary palate, medium depth and weight, nice balance, borderline alcohol (14% abv), with peppery but elegant tannins emerging through the finish. A very pretty wine that really shows classic Napa fruit, worth following over several years in the cellar. Better than the Cask 23. IHWC tasting with DW.
2009 vintage