Regusci
1932 Proprietary Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
I drank a fair amount of Regusci back in the day, but that was when Charles Hendricks was the Winemaker. His last full Regusci vintage, birth to finish was 2013. He did work most of the 2014 growing season, but didn’t vinify it. I guess if you’re going to go out 2013 is a grand vintage to do it. He trained their current Winemaker, but he makes a different style than Charles. Every Winemaker wants to do their own thing. I can’t say blame him/them, but I can decide whether I want to buy & drink them.
When I find older, well preserved Regusci vintages Charles made on the secondary market, I buy them. Not many pop-up anymore.
Owner Jim Regusci inspired the creation of “The 1932.” It is an homage to Regusci's estate vineyards and dedicated to Gaetano Regusci, who acquired the ranch in 1932. They farmed agriculture long before they made wine. First time having this bottling. 2012 is primarily Cabernet with Merlot & a splash of Cabernet Franc.
This is a classic Charles-Regusci creation. Notes after a 45 minute decant. It’s a strong 93 that pushes 94.
The nose is dark & brooding. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, some blueberries with raspberries on the edge of the glass. Steamy oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender.
Ripe but with a dry-ish feel; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries that has a liqueur feel to them, ripe, juicy strawberries as it opens up further, some blueberries with raspberries hovering over the top. Shaved oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices with some palate heat, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, dry stone with dust, charcoal notes, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black, turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender. A slight burn of alcohol on the center tongue, not the back of the throat, which is a bit odd, dark & red slightly withering but candied flowers framed in prominent lavender & violets, full round acidity with a well; tensioned, structured, balanced, elegant finish that lands squarely on evolved earth, dark spice and lasts minutes.
This is still ascending and will reach its peak in three to five years. It will slowly descend over the next 5-8 years.
Photos of; their tasting room/bar, fantastic picnic area, for sale vegetable/fruit cart and a long shot of their estate vineyard & winery.
I drank a fair amount of Regusci back in the day, but that was when Charles Hendricks was the Winemaker. His last full Regusci vintage, birth to finish was 2013. He did work most of the 2014 growing season, but didn’t vinify it. I guess if you’re going to go out 2013 is a grand vintage to do it. He trained their current Winemaker, but he makes a different style than Charles. Every Winemaker wants to do their own thing. I can’t say blame him/them, but I can decide whether I want to buy & drink them.
When I find older, well preserved Regusci vintages Charles made on the secondary market, I buy them. Not many pop-up anymore.
Owner Jim Regusci inspired the creation of “The 1932.” It is an homage to Regusci's estate vineyards and dedicated to Gaetano Regusci, who acquired the ranch in 1932. They farmed agriculture long before they made wine. First time having this bottling. 2012 is primarily Cabernet with Merlot & a splash of Cabernet Franc.
This is a classic Charles-Regusci creation. Notes after a 45 minute decant. It’s a strong 93 that pushes 94.
The nose is dark & brooding. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, some blueberries with raspberries on the edge of the glass. Steamy oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender.
Ripe but with a dry-ish feel; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries that has a liqueur feel to them, ripe, juicy strawberries as it opens up further, some blueberries with raspberries hovering over the top. Shaved oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices with some palate heat, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, dry stone with dust, charcoal notes, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black, turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender. A slight burn of alcohol on the center tongue, not the back of the throat, which is a bit odd, dark & red slightly withering but candied flowers framed in prominent lavender & violets, full round acidity with a well; tensioned, structured, balanced, elegant finish that lands squarely on evolved earth, dark spice and lasts minutes.
This is still ascending and will reach its peak in three to five years. It will slowly descend over the next 5-8 years.
Photos of; their tasting room/bar, fantastic picnic area, for sale vegetable/fruit cart and a long shot of their estate vineyard & winery.
Concentration and finesse! Dark rich aromas and flavors and great mouth feel. A nice wine from one of my favorite houses in Napa.
Concentration and finesse! Dark rich aromas and flavors and great mouth feel. A nice wine from one of my favorite houses in Napa.
1 person found it helpfulNov 29th, 2015
So very wonderful. Amazing balance and control, fruit, oak all embracing each other.
So very wonderful. Amazing balance and control, fruit, oak all embracing each other.
Dec 30th, 2020Fantastic young cab blend. I like pretty much everything Regusci puts out - but this is a standout. Excellent stuff - classic Cabernet cassis and a whiff of bell pepper.
Fantastic young cab blend. I like pretty much everything Regusci puts out - but this is a standout. Excellent stuff - classic Cabernet cassis and a whiff of bell pepper.
Jul 6th, 2020Wonderful with our Italian Food Anniversary Dinner 2020.
Wonderful with our Italian Food Anniversary Dinner 2020.
Jan 26th, 2020
rich, clean blend. smooth with lots of chocolate. magnificent mouth feel.
rich, clean blend. smooth with lots of chocolate. magnificent mouth feel.
May 5th, 2018Continuing the tour de Regusci. 2012 is classic Stags Leap. The Patriarch still is winning the competition, but this is close.
Continuing the tour de Regusci. 2012 is classic Stags Leap. The Patriarch still is winning the competition, but this is close.
Aug 19th, 2017
A little tight at first but opened beautifully.
A little tight at first but opened beautifully.
May 17th, 2016Powerful and massive blend. Needs more time in the cellar to come together but drinking well now.
Powerful and massive blend. Needs more time in the cellar to come together but drinking well now.
May 2nd, 2015