Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
S.L.V. Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Opened a couple hours prior and served double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core moving towards a slightly tawny rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated and ripe fruits: cassis, brambles, pipe tobacco, old leather bound books, dried mixed flowers, warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and rich. Initial conclusion is this is a Bordeaux-style blend from the United States or France but I felt this leaned more towards the quality of the fruit. So I called Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, 1986. Whoa…just about nailed it. This is showing very well. Drink now through 2030.
Opened a couple hours prior and served double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core moving towards a slightly tawny rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated and ripe fruits: cassis, brambles, pipe tobacco, old leather bound books, dried mixed flowers, warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and rich. Initial conclusion is this is a Bordeaux-style blend from the United States or France but I felt this leaned more towards the quality of the fruit. So I called Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, 1986. Whoa…just about nailed it. This is showing very well. Drink now through 2030.
Feb 11th, 2025
1998 | Cabernet Sauvignon
(97.4% Cabernet Sauvignon / 2.6% Merlot)
Stags Leap Wine Cellars; S.L.V.
Napa Valley; Stags Leap District, California, USA
(91-93; Drink 2018-33)
Rest In Peace Warren Winiarski
1998 | Cabernet Sauvignon
(97.4% Cabernet Sauvignon / 2.6% Merlot)
Stags Leap Wine Cellars; S.L.V.
Napa Valley; Stags Leap District, California, USA
(91-93; Drink 2018-33)
Rest In Peace Warren Winiarski
Fully mature. Cedar, leather, dried raspberries.
Fully mature. Cedar, leather, dried raspberries.
Jul 29th, 2022
This was tasted briefly at pop and pour and was then consumed from the decanter over the next few hours. Whereas the FAY was quite open, plush and had a sweeter fruited profile, this was a bit more brooding and layered. The fruit here is more red and black, with graphite, dark chocolate and mocha aromatics. Really nice depth on the mid palate with quite a strong tannic finish. Black cherries to the core with a streak of savory herbs and red clay down the middle…nice representation of Stag’s Leap district. I can see this improving with another 5-7yrs.
This was tasted briefly at pop and pour and was then consumed from the decanter over the next few hours. Whereas the FAY was quite open, plush and had a sweeter fruited profile, this was a bit more brooding and layered. The fruit here is more red and black, with graphite, dark chocolate and mocha aromatics. Really nice depth on the mid palate with quite a strong tannic finish. Black cherries to the core with a streak of savory herbs and red clay down the middle…nice representation of Stag’s Leap district. I can see this improving with another 5-7yrs.
Jun 12th, 2021
Excellent for the vintage. Started off slow and could’ve been decanted in retrospect. Really began to open up in the glass in about an hour and kept its freshness for a few more.
Excellent for the vintage. Started off slow and could’ve been decanted in retrospect. Really began to open up in the glass in about an hour and kept its freshness for a few more.
Nov 26th, 2017
Doesn’t get any better than this! Just a great vintage with so much life left and an opportunity to enjoy and benefit the fire relief efforts!
Doesn’t get any better than this! Just a great vintage with so much life left and an opportunity to enjoy and benefit the fire relief efforts!
Nov 10th, 2017Going deep in the cellar during the fires with all the uncertainty that comes with it. Blessed to be safe as well as our friends and family. Trying to stay inside with the heavy smoke and praying for those that weren't as fortunate.
Going deep in the cellar during the fires with all the uncertainty that comes with it. Blessed to be safe as well as our friends and family. Trying to stay inside with the heavy smoke and praying for those that weren't as fortunate.
Oct 10th, 2017
Yeah, it is that good. Right in the wheelhouse. Damn...
Yeah, it is that good. Right in the wheelhouse. Damn...
3 people found it helpfulFeb 28th, 2014
2011 vintage. Sophisticated best describes this wonderful wine to me. Dark fruit, slight floral hints, and leather on the nose. Balanced on the palate. Lingers nicely. Wish I could afford this more frequently.
2011 vintage. Sophisticated best describes this wonderful wine to me. Dark fruit, slight floral hints, and leather on the nose. Balanced on the palate. Lingers nicely. Wish I could afford this more frequently.
2 people found it helpfulApr 25th, 2015
Enjoyed where this was, resolved, holding onto its fruit well, transitioning into maturity. Dried black cherry, currant, flowers, leather, coffee, cigar, menthol, tar and graphite. Round and soft textured, lovely
Enjoyed where this was, resolved, holding onto its fruit well, transitioning into maturity. Dried black cherry, currant, flowers, leather, coffee, cigar, menthol, tar and graphite. Round and soft textured, lovely
1 person found it helpfulAug 15th, 2018