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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Stag's Leap has the potential to confuse. It is in fact the name of one of the Napa Valleys' finest viticultural regions, but it is also the name of one of the regions finest and most significant wineries. As if that wasn't enough, don't confuse Stag's Leap Wine Cellars with Stag's Leap Winery - "the original Stag's Leap" - established 1893, which is part of the Beringer Blass group of estates. They are two very different beasts.

Warren Winiarski is the man behind Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. He established the winery after gaining the necessary experience with other Californian luminaries such as Andre Tchelistcheff of Beaulieu Vineyards, and Robert Mondavi. In 1969 he tasted a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon made by Nathan Fay and he knew Fay had something big on his hands. His first purchase, in 1970, was a plot of land adjacent to Nathan Fay's property, on which there were fruit trees and a few vines including some Petite Sirah and Bouschet. This was quickly replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon, and named Stag's Leap Vineyard (now known as SLV). The first vintage was in 1972. Success came rapidly, most notably in 1976 with what is now a most famous tasting. Winiarski's 1973 SLV Cabernet Sauvignon beat the competition in a blind tasting in Paris - that competition being the top chateaux of Bordeaux, including a number of first growths of the 1970 vintage. There is no denying that this was an incredible feat, but it is no real surprise. Pitting tannic Bordeaux, unfriendly in its youth, against a fruity and open Californian, accessible and voluptuous, is bound to favour the latter. A similar result was achieved in 1986 when Ridge and Clos du Val, two other top-flight Californian wineries, won in New York. And in Berlin, in 2004, Chilean Eduardo Chadwick saw his premium wines Vina Chadwick and Sena beat off the Bordelais once more in a blind tasting. But this isn't to detract from what must have been a great moment for Winiarski, and for Californian wine in general. It was a coup.

Unsurprisingly, with this success under its belt, Stag's Leap went from strength to strength. Winiarski purchased more land, including the Fay and Arcadia Vineyards in 1976 and 1986 respectively, and continued to produce award-winning wines. The Fay Vineyard is right nextdoor - the plot of land that belonged to Nathan Fay. Obviously it remains a source of top quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The Arcadia Vineyard, purchased from Mike Grgich, is a limestone plot which provides elegant Chardonnay. The estate's premier wine is Cask 23, a blend of fruit from the Fay and SLV Vineyards made only in superior vintages. At the opposite end there is also Artemis, a blend of fruit from Fay, other new vineyard plots and purchased fruit. There is also the Hawk Crest range of wines made from Sonoma fruit. (20/5/04)

Contact details:
Address: 5766 Silverado Trail, Napa CA 94558
Telephone: +1 707 944 2020
Fax: +1 707 257 7501
Internet: www.cask23.com

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - Tasting Notes

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2002

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley) 2002: A good although somewhat commercial nose of sweet, confected tropical fruits. Rich tropical fruits on the palate also, quite fleshy, but balanced by correct acidity. 16/20 (November 2003)

2001

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Arcadia Chardonnay (Napa Valley) 2001: Good character here, with a slightly buttery edge to the mineral fruit. There is richness on the palate, tropical fruit flavour again edged with butter. Makes a nice impression, being neither over oaked or blowsy. 15.5/20 (November 2003)

Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma) 2001: Slightly confected fruit nose. Nicely textured palate, although rather soft, and with a fruit profile to match the nose. Current drinking only. 14/20 (November 2003)

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 2001: A fine nose, with stylish black fruits and a rich, cedary element. The palate is lovely, with plenty of tannin supporting some fine, black fruits like those on the nose, with a creamy texture. Good balance. Very primary at present but this will change with time in the cellar. 17.5+/20 (November 2003)

2000

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 2000: This wine is showing considerable maturity on the nose considering it is just four years of age. Again a lovely weight and texture on the palate. It lacks a little grip through the midpalate but shows more tannin in the finish. Still plenty of fruit. Fine and quite elegant, but very forward. 17.5+/20 (November 2003)

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 (Napa Valley) 2000: A gorgeous nose, full of fine black fruits and roasted nuts. A full, rich and impressive entry, with plenty of creamy texture. There is a fine tannic structure lying beneath it all too. Firm black fruits with a chocolate and nut edge. This is impressive and elegant. Clearly top quality fruit in this wine, reflecting the strict selection that lies behind it. 17.5+/20 (November 2003)

1991

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 1991: A great purple colour with tawny nuances here. The nose, however, seems very youthful, with sweet blackcurrant fruit gum notes, coffee, toffee and smoke. The palate is rich and round, full of rich cassis and pastille fruit. Good supple tannins and balanced acidity. This is extremely good. From a 1991 Vintage Ten Year On tasting. 17.5+/20 (November 2003) (December 2001)