Heart of Fay Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Last night, a buddy of mine who’s a Disabled Veteran and Registered Architect, announced that he was assuming control of a SDVOSB Architecture firm. He had spent the better part of a year of trying to reach a purchase agreement. So it was an evening of celebration. He’s been a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars fan for some time and he planned to pull the cork on a few bottles. We had a couple of rando bottles too but all were California Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the opening salvo and a very good one at that. Perfumed, lush, velvety fruit with lovely structure. Hugely quaffable and already drinking very well with a short decant but I think this is pretty characteristic of the 2014 vintage.

Third bottle tonight with cheese, smoke ribs and strawberry shortcake. Tart cherry and cranberry with some herbal notes (can't quite discern the notes due to an impaired olfactory sense 😜 )

2020 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 30 minutes and two hours. Medium body. Fay Vineyard long a favorite of mine but this was simple and underwhelming. Haven’t a clue with what they were trying to do with this but never would have pegged it as being from Fay. Haven’t tasted through much of the winery’s newer catalog (made since 2019) but what I have tasted through isn’t up to previous efforts going back to the 70’s. Pity. 08.02.25.

Enjoying t! Smooth nice fruit. Soft bouquet and finish. Would love to buy more.

Subtle and delicious. Found this very easy to drink. Paired really well with charcuterie and fruit.

Good structure, a little heavy on the oak at first, enjoyed it for a 46th birthday

Bada Bing bada boom. JT showed up with a big boy vino.

Deliciously drinkable

1 hour decant. This seems pretty much to be already in the sweet spot. This is seductive, new world, with dark fruit, pepper and vanilla. Almost CA Syrah like. I think this is the first bottling, which is the best fruit from Fay vineyard.

Decanted for two hours. Such a balanced wine. BOTN