Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

9.227 ratings
9.26 pro ratings
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Evan Shumway

Silky ribbon. I prefer fay over SLV

Silky ribbon. I prefer fay over SLV

Dec 5th, 2020
Sipping Fine Wine

Considered one of the "first growths" of Napa, 98% Cab Sauv, rest Cab Franc. Deep Ruby with big aromas of dark fruit, oak and earthy floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and cherry with notes of cedar and espresso. Fine firm tannins, well balanced with lively acidity, long finish ending with fruit, oak and spice, elegant!

Considered one of the "first growths" of Napa, 98% Cab Sauv, rest Cab Franc. Deep Ruby with big aromas of dark fruit, oak and earthy floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and cherry with notes of cedar and espresso. Fine firm tannins, well balanced with lively acidity, long finish ending with fruit, oak and spice, elegant!

Aug 28th, 2020
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Sure is a classic example of dichotomy of Bordeaux and Napa wines. Especially, with a slightly aged Napa Cabernet vs. a thirty-two year old Bordeaux.

This 11 is big, bold, dark and super rich!

The nose reveals, black cherry kirsch, sour cherries, very ripe blackberries, light blueberries, stewed black plum & black raspberries. A little bit of gym locker, some smokiness, savory notes, melted black licorice, vanilla, clove, caramel, cinnamon stick, dark chocolate, mocha, hints of allspice, crushed dry rocks, Provence herbs, dark spice, steeped fruit tea, deep, sweet tarriness, rich dark soil, limestone minerals, warm toast with withering dark flowers, violets painted with notes of lavender.

The body is medium-full, lush and rich. The tannins are round, softening and sticky tarry. The structure, tension are big. The length and balance are just rounded into something a little special. Black cherry kirsch, sour cherries, huckleberries, very ripe blackberries, light blueberries, stewed black plum & black raspberries. A little bit of gym locker, some smokiness, savory notes, melted black licorice, vanilla, clove, caramel, cinnamon stick, dark chocolate, mocha, hints of allspice, used dark roast coffee grounds, crushed dry rocks, Provence herbs, dark spice, steeped fruit tea, deep, sweet tarriness, rich dark soil, limestone minerals, warm toast with withering dark flowers, violets painted with notes of lavender. The acidity is nicely round. The long finish is rich, lush, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and lasts minutes.

One of the better 2011 Napa Cabernet’s I’ve had thus far! Just missed 9.4. Happy 2019!!! 🎉🎊🎈

Photos of, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars tasting room & estate vines, inside look at their tasting area and their Fay Vineyard.

Sure is a classic example of dichotomy of Bordeaux and Napa wines. Especially, with a slightly aged Napa Cabernet vs. a thirty-two year old Bordeaux.

This 11 is big, bold, dark and super rich!

The nose reveals, black cherry kirsch, sour cherries, very ripe blackberries, light blueberries, stewed black plum & black raspberries. A little bit of gym locker, some smokiness, savory notes, melted black licorice, vanilla, clove, caramel, cinnamon stick, dark chocolate, mocha, hints of allspice, crushed dry rocks, Provence herbs, dark spice, steeped fruit tea, deep, sweet tarriness, rich dark soil, limestone minerals, warm toast with withering dark flowers, violets painted with notes of lavender.

The body is medium-full, lush and rich. The tannins are round, softening and sticky tarry. The structure, tension are big. The length and balance are just rounded into something a little special. Black cherry kirsch, sour cherries, huckleberries, very ripe blackberries, light blueberries, stewed black plum & black raspberries. A little bit of gym locker, some smokiness, savory notes, melted black licorice, vanilla, clove, caramel, cinnamon stick, dark chocolate, mocha, hints of allspice, used dark roast coffee grounds, crushed dry rocks, Provence herbs, dark spice, steeped fruit tea, deep, sweet tarriness, rich dark soil, limestone minerals, warm toast with withering dark flowers, violets painted with notes of lavender. The acidity is nicely round. The long finish is rich, lush, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and lasts minutes.

One of the better 2011 Napa Cabernet’s I’ve had thus far! Just missed 9.4. Happy 2019!!! 🎉🎊🎈

Photos of, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars tasting room & estate vines, inside look at their tasting area and their Fay Vineyard.

Jan 1st, 2019
Louis Martin

One of our favorite Cabs, smooth, earthy, balanced, pairs well with cheese and fruit. Another great vintage year for the Fay line.

One of our favorite Cabs, smooth, earthy, balanced, pairs well with cheese and fruit. Another great vintage year for the Fay line.

1 person found it helpfulNov 25th, 2019
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

A little late on this one. Still nice but it lost some of the fruit. Still elegant with nice coffee notes.

A little late on this one. Still nice but it lost some of the fruit. Still elegant with nice coffee notes.

1 person found it helpfulDec 12th, 2016
Alan Hyde

Good stuff. Not amazing to me.

Good stuff. Not amazing to me.

Apr 11th, 2021
Brian R

Classic Napa cab.

Classic Napa cab.

Jan 25th, 2020
Andrew Belzer

slight bell pepper on the nose with coffee chocolate clove tobacco supple yet lasting tannins

slight bell pepper on the nose with coffee chocolate clove tobacco supple yet lasting tannins

May 23rd, 2018
Michael Meyer

Incredible elegance married to youthful power. This was Marcus Nataro’s first effort at SLV...I think he’s figured out the Napa thing pretty well.

Incredible elegance married to youthful power. This was Marcus Nataro’s first effort at SLV...I think he’s figured out the Napa thing pretty well.

Nov 15th, 2017
Shuji Yanada

果実味豊かだが、まだタンニンも粗く、デキャンタージュして、時間がたつにつれて落ち着く。飲み頃はまだ先。

果実味豊かだが、まだタンニンも粗く、デキャンタージュして、時間がたつにつれて落ち着く。飲み頃はまだ先。

Sep 9th, 2017