Stag’s Leap is a legendary American producer, they beat the French at their own game. They’re one of Napa’s lauded estates having won the Judgement of Paris with the release of their first vintage of SLV cabernet back in 1976. But that was a long time ago when the vineyard was embryonic. With over half a century under its belt, the SLV vineyard has only gone from strength to strength.

Planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with a smidge of Cabernet Franc, this 14-ha vineyard is now 54 years old. Its founder Warren Winiarski sold the estate over a decade ago, as his children wanted to pursue other careers and it’s now solely owned by the Antinori family. With deep pockets and a firm admiration for Winiarski and Stags Leap, it’s been business as usual as the new owners learned the curios and details of their brilliant holdings. Minor tweaks in the vineyard and winery have been made but nothing seismic in the way of changes.

Stags Leap is also an AVA (American Viticultural Area) as well as the winery. Located in the north of Coombsville, its original and imposing landscape is acutely described by John Szabo, ‘with its arresting palisades, the towering cliffs of pure basalt shaped like the pipes of an organ that rise above vineyards. The vines planted higher up in these foothills of the Vaca Mountains dig right into the weathered basalt,.’ The combination of site and vines builds ripeness and structure without carrying a heft of alcohol. Back in the day, Winiarski was warned he wouldn’t be able to ripen the grapes, he had the last laugh.

If you’re searching for a bombastic alcohol-fueled cabernet, this isn’t for you. As Joe Czerwinski says about the 2019. ‘No, it's not made in a modern, blockbuster style, but it's true to its heritage, with subtle herb shadings and a long, silky finish.’