Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

S.L.V. Block 4 Cabernet Sauvignon

9.230 ratings
8.82 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
Ryan Mengel

Lots of vanilla and spice. High in tannins. Delicious. Paired nicely with the US Open

Lots of vanilla and spice. High in tannins. Delicious. Paired nicely with the US Open

1 person found it helpfulJun 18th, 2016
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Wow...it's still somewhere between a baby and a toddler even after 9 nine years in the bottle and a 4 hour decant. On the nose, perfumed dark mixed berries florals with a touch of smoky minerals. Certainly, one of the better noses on a wine I can remember in some time. The fruits are heavy, dark and slightly liqueur in style. They are elegant, ripe; blackberries, huckleberries, dark cherries, sweet and slightly stewed black plums, black raspberries, strawberry preserves & concentrated pomegranate dances in the background. Followed by; sweetened black tea, dark roasted coffee, black licorice, dry stems, dark perfumed dry florals, black cherry cola, vanilla, dark & mocha chocolate, spice, dry dusty volcanic minerals, pillow soft leather, cedar, fresh picked tobacco, mint, & eucalyptus. The bottle evolution is nice and very drinkable but I'd hold it another 5-7 years and it will last another 15 years or so. The structure has softened but still big as are the tannins. The length is long. The balance of fruit & earth are nearly perfect but not completely there. The acidity is spot on. The finish is big, full, round, lush, juicy but slides into a slightly drier state on the longer finish. Speaking of the finish, it lasts for well over a minute. Block 4 was planted in 1972, at the base of the hill in the southeasternmost part of the estate. Exceptionally beautiful wine!

Wow...it's still somewhere between a baby and a toddler even after 9 nine years in the bottle and a 4 hour decant. On the nose, perfumed dark mixed berries florals with a touch of smoky minerals. Certainly, one of the better noses on a wine I can remember in some time. The fruits are heavy, dark and slightly liqueur in style. They are elegant, ripe; blackberries, huckleberries, dark cherries, sweet and slightly stewed black plums, black raspberries, strawberry preserves & concentrated pomegranate dances in the background. Followed by; sweetened black tea, dark roasted coffee, black licorice, dry stems, dark perfumed dry florals, black cherry cola, vanilla, dark & mocha chocolate, spice, dry dusty volcanic minerals, pillow soft leather, cedar, fresh picked tobacco, mint, & eucalyptus. The bottle evolution is nice and very drinkable but I'd hold it another 5-7 years and it will last another 15 years or so. The structure has softened but still big as are the tannins. The length is long. The balance of fruit & earth are nearly perfect but not completely there. The acidity is spot on. The finish is big, full, round, lush, juicy but slides into a slightly drier state on the longer finish. Speaking of the finish, it lasts for well over a minute. Block 4 was planted in 1972, at the base of the hill in the southeasternmost part of the estate. Exceptionally beautiful wine!

Mar 25th, 2017
Maggie J

Very good wine. Very well rounded and refined shows the value. Smokey taste, wooded, and plum notes. A bit premature. Not in the biggest rush to try again but extremely good bottle.

Very good wine. Very well rounded and refined shows the value. Smokey taste, wooded, and plum notes. A bit premature. Not in the biggest rush to try again but extremely good bottle.

Mar 11th, 2017
Paul Parks

The beast of all beasts, beat it, I challenge you...

The beast of all beasts, beat it, I challenge you...

Dec 12th, 2014
Jimmy Flynn

Opened up quickly and shined early. Fruit forward and long delectable finish.

Opened up quickly and shined early. Fruit forward and long delectable finish.

Dec 24th, 2012
Terry Growcock

Main favorite

Main favorite

Dec 24th, 2012
Craig Roemer

Producer/consultant of sparkling wines for Sea Smoke Cellars, Merry Edwards Wines, Goldeneye Winery, Rhys Vineyards, and Infinite Monkey Theroem Wines, Operational Director Prim Family Vineyard, Proprietor C R Wines.

8.2

Craig had this 7 years ago

Craig had this 7 years ago

Dec 25th, 2016
Shelby Chobany

Shelby had this 3 years ago

Shelby had this 3 years ago

Feb 6th, 2021
Juan Fernando Martinez

Juan had this 3 years ago

Juan had this 3 years ago

Dec 27th, 2020
Art Skri

Art had this 4 years ago

Art had this 4 years ago

Mar 7th, 2020