Lot 66 | 2018 Napa Valley (mostly Stags Leap) Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Lot 66
2018 Napa Valley (mostly Stags Leap) Cabernet Sauvignon

Inky black in the glass with just a kiss of garnet around the rim. The nose draws you down into the glass with deep, rich plum, black cherry and blackberry jam aromas. At the same time, red rock, graphite and juicy white florals are uplifted, the overall effect is a voluminous and complex nose. Supple on entry and beautifully balanced with black fruits melded perfectly with classic Stags Leap acidity and tension.

UPDATED JUNE 27, 2021

I found this wine a bit more aromatically complex a couple of months ago. Its swinging back and forth a bit still but I think finally settling in as it opened with air. Rain on asphalt, blackberry syrup and leather aromas peek through…day two shows more ethereal and otherworldly but it is still tightly wound as well as working through oak integration. Fantastic structure however, give this a 24 hour decant in the meantime but best to wait until the fall.


14.6% alc

Overall rating: 4.75 / 5 from 4 reviews.

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Reviews

Great Stags Leap Cabernet

"Stags leap appellation of Napa valley made its mark in the early 1970s when one of its wines , unexpectedly beat all comers in a prestigious, French competition. This superb wine has all the class and balance you expect from the best Napa has to offer. Stone fruit and graphite leads the show.This wine was drinking luscious and beautiful when first released by DN and has only gotten better with time. Great wine from a great region. A classic example from the appellation and a definite high recommendation. Per DN mostly Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon"

— NG (5/5)

Beauty

"Beautiful fruit on pop and pour that quickly disappears. Needs a day’s decant to really shine on day 2."

— Alexander S. (5/5)

Good bones, but waiting for the nose to come in

"Even after a few hours of slow ox, the nose on this one seems to refuse to participate. The palate is nice, and some tannins and acidity show that this could age for a while longer, but whether the nose shows up or not will determine whether that's a worthy effort or not. Check back in 6 months maybe?"

— Chris H. (4/5)

Excellent

"Beautiful cabernet, after 3+ years in bottle it's ready to go. Great aromas upon opening, and evolved really nicely over the evening and held up beautifully on days 2+3."

— Toby (5/5)

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