Stags Leap District reds have a distinct sour cherry and black berry character with baking spice and dried earth aromas, and supple tannins. Stags Leap soils-eroded volcanic and old river sediments-encourage well established root systems and result in complex, terroir-driven wines. While many varieties could thrive here, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate with virtually no others, save for a spot or two of Syrah. In this case it is a half bottle of Stags' Leap. It did not disappoint and as we have often found many bottles were consumed and enjoyed at dinner. David Allen MW tastes some of the Californian wines he bought on a recent trip to the USA. When it was sold to a larger company we stopped buying it as often but recent purchase for a large birthday celebration. In combination with the cool evening breezes from the San Pablo Bay just south, this becomes an optimal environment for grape growing. Our first bottle of Stag’s Leap was many years ago and it became our special occasion wine. The vineyards in this one-of-a-kind wine growing region receive hot afternoon air reflecting off of its eastern palisade formation.

When a 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon won first place against its high-profile Bordeaux contenders, like Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion, international attention to the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley escalated rapidly. While its grape-growing history dates back to the mid-1800s, winemaking didn’t really take off until the mid-1970s after a small but pivotal blind tasting called the Judgement of Paris. As a result, the area was given the name, Stags Leap. The two wine brands battled it out in California Supreme Court more than 30 years ago for the right to use. The brand is now owned by Treasury Wine Estates.

It’s also known for terrific wines, including some long-lived Petite Sirahs. Legend has it that quick and nimble stags would escape the indigenous hunters of southern Napa Valley through the landmark palisades that sit just northeast of the current city of Napa. Stags’ Leap Winery has an even older history, situated on a property that was originally planted in 1872. Rich ruby in color, the 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is aromatically beautiful, introducing itself with alluring notes of dark, red fruit and a peppery.

Stag leap wine