Stag's Leap
Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
| Denomination | AVA Napa Valley |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% by volume |
| Area | California (United States of America) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Aging | 20 months in French oak barrels, 90% new and 10% previously used |
- Origin and vintage: Napa Valley (California), Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, 0.75 l bottle
- Vinification and ageing: stainless steel, full malolactic fermentation, 20 months in French oak
- Aroma: cherry and blackcurrant, notes of anise and vanilla from the oak
- On the palate: silky tannins, lively acidity, elegant structure and a long, persistent finish
- Awards and serving: 97/100 from Decanter, Robert Parker and Wine Spectator; decant for 1 hour
Description
What kind of wine it is
The Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is a red wine from Napa Valley that embodies the prestige of this Californian region. It displays an intense ruby red colour, while the nose reveals fragrant notes of cherry and blackcurrant, enhanced by hints of anise and vanilla aromas derived from barrel ageing. On the palate, it offers a defined and smooth structure, supported by silky, enveloping tannins. The tasting experience is marked by a lively acidity that brings freshness and balances the aromatic component, leading to a long and persistent finish.
Where it comes from
This wine has its roots in the renowned wine region of Napa Valley, California. The label was born from the intuition of winemaker André Tchelistcheff, who allocated a particularly prized batch to a specific cask. Today, this red is created from a careful blend of grapes harvested from the famous S.L.V. and FAY vineyards. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars cemented its international reputation after the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris, demonstrating Californian excellence to the world. The combination of ideal soils and a favourable climate allows the Cabernet Sauvignon to develop great aromatic precision and elegance.
How it is produced
The vinification of the grapes involves a primary fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by a malolactic fermentation carried out in full to stabilise and refine the flavour profile. Maturation continues for twenty months in French oak barrels, mostly new with a small proportion of second-use barrels, enriching the bouquet with delicate spicy notes. Best served after about an hour of decanting, this red harmoniously enhances structured dishes such as braised veal chops, spiced beef rib steaks, and even fine cuts of black pepper-seared tuna.
History and Curiosities
The legend of Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon began in 1974, when the winemaker André Tchelistcheff reserved an exceptional batch of S.L.V. for barrel number 23. Produced by the historic Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, founded in 1970, this sought-after label embodies absolute elegance. Now the result of the skilful blending of the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards, this renowned wine boasts a strong connection with the Antinori family and bears a seal celebrating its triumph at the Judgement of Paris in 1976, an event that established it as a global icon.
Awards
-
2021
97/100
Decanter is a wine and lifestyle magazine, published monthly in around 90 countries. The magazine includes industry news, classic guides and advice on wine and spirits.
-
2021
97/100
The prestigious international wine guide from the renowned Robert Parker, the world's most experienced and trusted wine taster.
-
2021
97/100
Wine spectator is the most influential wine guide on the internet.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
18 - 20 °C
Longevity:
15 - 25 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
- Start up year: 1970
This historic winery was made famous in 1976, the year of the "Judgment of Paris", a blind winetasting that was conducted in Paris with a panel of 9 French tasters who tasted samples of California’s best Cabernet and Chardonnay and matched them against some of the finest labels from Bordeaux and Burgandy. Despite pessimistic predictions, due to the fact that Californian wines were only considered an interesting "novelty" in the world of wine, they were declared the winners. First place was assigned to S.L.V. 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap, a phenomenon that created an upheaval in the world’s viticultural circles.
The Antinori family had been a managing partner since 2007 while in 2023, they acquired the entire Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars estate to preserve and continue to pursue the extraordinary legacy of this unique winery. Read more
| Name | Stag's Leap Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red still |
| Denomination | Napa Valley AVA |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Country | United States of America |
| Region | California |
| Vendor | Stag's Leap |
| Story | History and Curiosities The legend of Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon began in 1974, when the winemaker André Tchelistcheff reserved an exceptional batch of S.L.V. for barrel number 23. Produced by the historic Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, founded in 1970, this sought-after label embodies absolute elegance. Now the result of the skilful blending of the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards, this renowned wine boasts a strong connection with the Antinori family and bears a seal celebrating its triumph at the Judgement of Paris in 1976, an event that established it as a global icon. |
| Origin | Napa Valley (California) |
| Climate | null |
| Production technique | Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with complete malolactic fermentation; ageing for 20 months in French oak barrels (90% new, 10% previously used) |
| Wine making | Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with full malolactic fermentation. |
| Aging | 20 months in French oak barrels, 90% new and 10% previously used |
| Total acidity | 0.58 gr/L |
| PH | 3.71 |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |