Although grapes were first planted in the 1870s in what is now referred to as the Stags Leap District AVA, the area did not gain its well-deserved recognition until the 1976 Judgement of Paris when Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 S.L.V. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon won the best Red Wine award. Stags Leap District AVA is bordered to the west by the Napa River and rolling hills and to the east by the Stags Leap Palisades. For those interested in being the smartest wine geek at your next gathering it’s good to know that Stags Leap was the first American Viticultural Association to be granted status based on the distinctiveness of its soils. A combination of sedimentary loam and gravel closer to the river and volcanic rock distributed on the hillsides add distinct flavors and minerality to many of the wines made here. Just a handful of wine growers and sixteen wineries farm 1,250 acres of which 90 percent are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other reds. Stags Leap District AVA is one of the smallest sub-appellations within Napa Valley, but the wines made here are extremely popular and well known for bold fruit flavors, smooth and silky tannins, and well-integrated acidity.
-
Shafer 2021 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley California
This stunning wine pays homage to the founding partners John and Doug Shafer who were known to refer to their long work life together as amounting to a generation and a half. Luckily for us and wine lovers around the world, the ideal 2021 growing season produced wines with bold color, intense aromas, and delightful flavors. Shafer One Point Five has aromas of ripe black cherry, blueberry, and boysenberry with silky tannins and flavors of violet petal, black currant, and plum.
Buy Now: $110
-
Gibbs Vineyards 2021 Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley California
This wine represents Gibbs Vineyard’s first Cabernet Sauvignon made from grapes grown in Stags Leap District AVA and we thought their first effort was so good it merited inclusion. Only 184 cases were made from this vintage, but we hope that over the next few years winemaker Craig Handly chooses to increase production. In addition to sourcing excellent fruit, he chose to age this very well-made wine for 30 months in 60 percent new French oak. It has aromas of crushed violet petals, red plum, and black licorice with sturdy tannins and flavors of Mission fig, black currant, and blackberry.
Buy Now: $60
-
Baldacci Family Vineyards 2021 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley California
Winemaker Michael Baldacci strives to craft his family’s Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon so that it reflects both Stags Leap District’s unique terroir as well as the history of the family’s Winery Ranch Vineyard. To that end he chooses 75 percent new French oak barrels with medium toast to age this iconic wine in for 22 months. It has tempting aromas of black currant, cigar box, and cinnamon with fine grained tannins and flavors of blackberry, brown baking spices, dried pipe tobacco, and pencil lead in the finish. Drink now or over the next 20 years.
Buy Now: $125
-
Clos du Val 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Vineyard Stags Leap District Napa Valley California
When you visit Clos du Val you will be hosted at the Hirondelle House, named for the birds that nest in the vineyard each and every spring. You’ll also notice a decidedly European approach to their winemaking philosophy. This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has the elegance and finesse of a fine Cab from Bordeaux with aromas of black cherry, boysenberry, and powdered cocoa and flavors of cassis, graphite, and cigar box. It’s drinking perfectly right now, but don’t hesitate to lay a few bottles down for a decade or so.
Buy Now: $150
-
Amici 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Vineyard Stags Leap District Napa Valley California
Amici also makes a fine Cab made from grapes grown in the Hirondelle Vineyard and it was interesting for us to taste it side by side with the Clos du Val 2021. Both are excellent but are very different in the glass due to wine making style. The Amici has aromas of cherry preserves, purple flowers, and orange marmalade. Bold but rounded tannins wrap around flavors of black cherry, cassis, finely ground brown baking spices, and raspberry dance on the palate before the long finish.
Buy Now: $195
-
Cliff Lede Vineyards 2019 Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley California
David Abreu designed and consulted on the planning and planting of one of Cliff Lede’s most iconic vineyards. His Poetry vineyard is carved into the hillside and faces west to receive the last rays of sun from each day and the soils are volcanic at the surface with fragmented shale just a few feet below. Because of high density planting the resulting grapes are smaller but more flavorful. This excellent Cab has aromas of crushed violet petals, ripe black cherry, and red raspberry with soft, silky tannins and flavors of dark chocolate, black plum, black raspberry, and a touch of anise frond in the finish.
Learn More
-
Reynolds Family Winery 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley California
The Reynolds family grows grapes for this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon on two specific soil types: Bale loam, an alluvial soil permeated by gravel and sand and Bressa Dibble, another type of loamy soil well known for its excellent drainage. Winemaker Steve Reynolds dedicated his adult life to winemaking only 20 years ago when he turned a former chicken ranch into a world class winery. His 2021 Reserve Cab has aromas of mocha, Morello cherry, and black currant. Sturdy tannins support flavors of black cherry, black plum, and an enticing note of cherry vanilla in the lingering finish. Only 400 cases made.
Buy Now: $156
