Review: Wines of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, 2024 Releases
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (not to be confused with Stags’ Leap Winery) is one of the OGs of the Napa wine world, and it’s always fun to see what the operation is getting up to with its new releases.
Today we’re looking at a trio of wines (from three different vintages), only one of which revolves around Stag’s Leap’s bread and butter varietal of cabernet sauvignon.
2023 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley – This is a clean and straightforward sauvignon blanc that starts off with a light mix of tropical and grassy notes before settling in later on a more forceful pineapple character. It ends up as it warms a bit on the lighter side of the classic New Zealand style, showing a smack of lemon and some white florals on the finish. Fine and refreshing for a summery white, though short on nuance. B+ / $30
2022 Karia Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay Napa Valley– Surprisingly doughy, this vintage lacks both the brightness and the unctuous richness of a typical Cali chardonnay, landing fitfully somewhere in a no-man’s-land that is wholly approachable but not overly memorable. Notes of guava and gooseberry dominate, with a more floral astringency taking hold as the palate develops. The wine then takes that and folds it into pastry dough and mashed, baked apples, giving the finish a chewy, gluten-like quality that gums up the palate. I was happy to return to the sauvignon blanc to cleanse the palate afterwards. B / $xxxxxx
2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – A rather dry expression of Napa cab (98% cabernet, with a smattering of add-ons), initially restrained by notes of gravelly slate and anise, then making its way into dark, extracted fruits: currants, black raspberry, and quite tart cherry notes, layered with very dark chocolate notes on the finish. Ample tannin throughout; this wine is still drinking as very young. The earthy notes give way with some time in glass to form a more cohesive whole with all that fruit, but it’s a long time coming. Consider decanting or at least letting this bottle breathe a bit; cellaring a few years wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. (Gift packaging shown above, $125.) B+ / $85
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