Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Varieties
Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon is the most prestigious wine of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and is produced only in vintages that show exceptional harmony between the wines coming from the Stag’s Leap Vineyard parcel and the Fay Vineyard parcel. The idea originated in 1974, when one barrel from the Stag’s Leap Vineyard vinification was set aside because of its unusual depth and complexity, and it was marked as “Cask 23”.
Since then, the process has relied on a careful selection of the finest components from both vineyards, combining the strength, structure, and mineral character of Stag’s Leap Vineyard with the elegance, floral notes, and refined texture of Fay Vineyard. The aroma is dominated by blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, and graphite, while cedar, sweet spices, and subtle hints of tobacco appear in the background.
The palate is concentrated and firm at first, yet shaped by exceptionally fine tannins that create a long, precise, and harmonious finish. With age, the wine develops tones of cocoa, earth, and black tea, highlighting its long-term aging potential that often exceeds two decades.
Fermentation and maturation are adapted to each vintage, with very careful use of French oak to preserve purity and a clear expression of the terroir.
Producer
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of the most influential wineries in Napa Valley and a turning point in American winemaking, especially since the 1976 “Judgment of Paris”, when its 1973 Cabernet surpassed renowned Bordeaux labels. Located in the Stags Leap District, the winery benefits from distinctive volcanic and gravelly soils that allow for wines with remarkable structure and aromatic precision.
Its key vineyard sites, Stag’s Leap Vineyard and Fay Vineyard, lie at the base of the Stags Leap Palisades, where a unique microclimate creates a balance of ripeness, freshness, and clarity of aroma. The legendary 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon, which elevated SLWC to global prominence, originated from the Stag’s Leap Vineyard vineyard.
While Cabernet Sauvignon is the primary focus, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay also receive meticulous attention through a winemaking approach centered on purity, elegance, and long aging potential. Fermentation is controlled with precision and complemented by careful use of French oak to preserve harmony between fruit expression and subtle notes of vanilla, cedar, and spice.
Vineyard management blends scientific insight with traditional practices, respecting natural cycles and the character of the terroir. Visitors can experience guided tastings, explore the library selection, and tour the cellars, further underscoring the winery’s reputation as a place that has shaped the history of Napa Valley.
Despite modernization, the estate has preserved a signature style that prioritizes elegance over sheer power, making its wines highly regarded among collectors. Today, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars remains synonymous with consistent quality, authenticity, and one of the defining stories of contemporary American wine.