Stags' Leap Winery, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Compared to Louis Martini reviewed yesterday. Reluctant nose, dark color. Fruit is less ripe, red fruit notes, crisp weak acid, the detractor is the bitter top edge, artificial tasting not like stem, chemical. I would guess newer casks if casks. The Martini has more soft deep blackberry, vanilla, depth concentration.

2022 vintage

Fruity, complex, middleweight

2022 vintage

Beautiful cabernet sauvignon! Black fruits, tobacco, vanilla and caramel with violets on the nose. Cassis, blackberries, black plumbs on the palate. Fruit forward. One hour decant and this was perfect with medium tannins, medium acidity and a medium to long finish! Delicious!!!

2022 vintage

Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark cherry unfold into graphite, cedar, cocoa nib, and a touch of dried sage. The palate is plush yet structured, with cassis and black plum framed by fine, polished tannins and bright red currant acidity. Savory notes of tobacco and espresso carry through a long, cedar-tinged finish.

2022 vintage

na

2017 vintage

well i’m drinking it out of a musty ahh glass from grandpappy’s curio cabinet which is completely warping the smell, but the wine is good. slight acidity, full bodied.

2022 vintage

The wine opens with a composed, Napa-classic restraint—blackcurrant skin, crushed blackberry, and a cool note of graphite give way to hints of bay leaf, cocoa nib, and dried violets. On the palate, it’s poised rather than showy, the fruit reading dark and polished—black plum, mulberry, and cassis paste—layered with savory tones of tobacco leaf, pencil shaving, and a subtle iron-rich earthiness. Tannins are fine-grained and tensile, more suede than velvet, carrying the wine with quiet confidence rather than weight. Acidity …

2022 vintage

Quite nice, balanced, classical for California cab. 91-92+

2022 vintage

Full bore and impactful. Lots fo dense chewy structure. Needs time.

2022 vintage

Let the wine breathe about 2 hours. Had the first glass while cooking lamb chops on the grill. The smell was light stewed fruit, still a dark red with a little light on the rim. Still enough tannin to keep the glass interesting. Muted fruit still hanging in. The wine was better with the lamb.

2017 vintage

A bold, polished Napa Cab with deep ruby intensity and a nose of black cherry, vanilla, and baking spice. Full-bodied with firm tannins and a long, structured finish, it delivers classic valley richness without overstepping. Recommendation: Serve with grilled meats or decant for an hour to let the spice and fruit harmonize. I usually lean toward drinking young rather than waiting too long—but this is one worth holding for a couple years, as it promises even greater depth with time.

2022 vintage

Decanted 1/2 hr. Medium body. Consistent tastes of red & darker fruits.

2017 vintage

Gave to Josh

2017 vintage

PSDYCP's note on 1/25/25 nailed it. I can't add anything to this excellent note.

2017 vintage

Fragrant and complex nose of ripe plums and blueberries, sweet spices, fresh gooseberries and leather. Some dark chocolate emerged after sometime in the glass. Palate is rich with spiced blue and black fruits. Quite delicious. Full bodied structure. Finish is plush and plummy. Drink with an hour of decanting for the aromatics to open.

2017 vintage

Good

2017 vintage

It really open up very nicely in the second day. If you drink the same day you ooen, I recommend decanting for 2 hours to let it open.

2017 vintage

Note: Half bottle size Appearance: Deep ruby Nose: pronounced aromas chocolate, vanilla, black cherry, blueberry, blackberry, black currants, violet, meatiness, earth, tobacco, lavender, Palate: dry, high alcohol, full body, medium+ acidity, high tannins, pronounced intensity, cooked cherries, cream, long finish

2017 vintage

Held up well against a 2009 Brane-Cantenac. Still somewhat fruit forward though that is receding. Pleasurable.

2017 vintage

Better and more balanced on night two

2017 vintage

Enjoyed with Greek couples

2017 vintage

Drinking well now. Maybe could go a few more years for aging. Earthy berries. Easy to drink with added complexity

2017 vintage

Very strong nose on open First sip has fruit earth

2017 vintage

Very good bottle. Dry and very smooth. Flavor was good and medium bodied - surprising that it wasn’t stronger.

2017 vintage

Provenance= poor. Cork was in tact, no seepage but did crumble with standard corkscrew. Bottle had no vinegar. V: medium viscosity. Dark red in glass N: stewed fruit and mint on open. Blew off to blackberries. P: mild stewed fruit. Blackberries and flavor really popped when we sipped along Brie mashed potatoes. To ensure we weren’t biased we sipped this alongside a cheap but decent 2018 California cab. This ‘05 was way better.

2005 vintage

Good but not as good as I built it up to be in my mind. I think at 6 years it was in a dumb phase. I'd drink young or 11 years, not between.

2017 vintage

Un infanticide s'il en est un! Gros fruit dense et extrait. L'élevage se fait encore pas mal sentir. Les tannins sont charnus et la finale bien que longue, est sur la chauffe en ce moment. Dans 10, voir 15 années il sera possiblement plus abouti!

2017 vintage

Drinkable but past it’s prime

2004 vintage

Very good, jammy yet dry.

2017 vintage

VG

2017 vintage

Yummy!!

2017 vintage

Good but a little too ripe with strawberry profile.

2017 vintage

Double decanted off its sediment and poured an hour or so later. Leather, black currants and plum. Softened tannins with dark fruit leather on the palate. Mature.

2011 vintage

A Blind Cabernet Tasting : [Tasted Double Blind] This pours extremely deep glass staining purple in the glass. No bricking, youthful appearance. The nose is of rich cassis, black licorice, blueberry jam dusted with icing sugar, rosemary, vanilla extract, some new oak, and a vague whisp of dusty soil. The palate enters on abundant deep and rich fruit, so much so that it borders on an off dry, and cloying characteristic. Tannin is medium minus and very fine and velvety …

2017 vintage

It’s ok enough Probably go in a different direction for a mid-tier mid week wine.

2017 vintage

Un vin très primaire sur le fruit noir, une touche de bois, d’épices et de vanille Les tannins sont bien la, un vin avec beaucoup de potentiel à carafer un bon 1-2h

2017 vintage

Donated to Borthwick tournament

2017 vintage

Cherries galore. This is drinking smooth.

2011 vintage

Cherries galore. Smooth tasting this wine is drinking well!

2011 vintage

Surprisingly good for a reasonably priced Napa cab. Fragant nose, deep ruby color, tannins still quite grippy. Long dense finish even though the wine itself is closer to medium bodied. Nice black pepper notes that don't detract from the soft dark fruit.

2011 vintage

Blind, ruby with brick rim, berries, peppers. Lengthy bitter finish. Ready to drink where it will hold another 5 years.

2005 vintage

Deep, gorgeous ruby. Raspberries, Cocoa, and deep red fruits on the nose. Pleasantly sweet and sour red fruits. Delicious.

2011 vintage

Old World yet expressive, with ripe, plump dark fruit, cassis, Mexican candy spices, and perfectly integrated oak. Mid weight, juicy, and well-sculpted, the palate is enhanced by a fine dusting of spices, mango acidity, and earthy, forest floor undertones. Another beautiful 2011 Napa Cab that belies a so-called mediocre vintage.

2011 vintage

Immediate black pepper taste. Wonderful typical cab. Soft tannin start and smooth finish. Very nice This opened with Coravin in July ‘19

2011 vintage

Lots of berries on the nose. Silky tanins. Nice long finish. Red inky color. Chocolate on the finish. Very nice bottle on wine

2011 vintage

Last one left. Nothing remarkable, although maybe not giving this its due since it is only an hour past opening. Relatively simple, not a lot going on. Medium to full. Garnet coloring. Good structure and aftertaste. Vanilla cloves and mint on the nose (cold). Good acidity and tannins. Medium dry.

2011 vintage

Poured out both bottles. Didn’t know what I didn’t know and thought this would get better indefinitely...cause I’m ignorant. Guess I’ll open my last one and pour it out tomorrow. It was nice in December.

2005 vintage

Terroir-istes International - USA - California, Napa General (Cape Town Law offices) : (Tasted Blind): A deep black-mahogany colour. Captivating and intense bouquet with signs of maturity mixed with cassis, forest fruit, bilberries and blackcurrant pastilles alongside dried earth and melted chocolate. Despite its age, the wine is bold, bright and nicely complex with those tertiary nuances. A well-balanced wine that is classy, powerful and structured with fleshy ripe fruits rubbing up against sweet, powdery tannins and lively acidity. Lovely …

2011 vintage

Meilleur que le 2010 dégusté en même temps.

2011 vintage

Drinking well.

2011 vintage

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Stags' Leap Winery, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

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