Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price: $299.95
| Producer | Stag's Leap Wine Cellars |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Subregion | Napa Valley |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Sku | 08029 |
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Description
The story of CASK 23 began during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth and richness balanced by restraint. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide.
Vineyards & Winemaking
CASK 23 is a tale of two vineyards that come together in a harmonious blend. For the 2012 offering, the contribution of fruit from our FAY and S.L.V. vineyards was equal. Specific blocks within these adjoining ranches provide distinct attributes to the wine. Vines planted in volcanic soils on the eastern hillsides of S.L.V. and FAY give CASK 23 its structure, concentration, spicy intensity and elegant tannins; those grown in the alluvial soils in the middle and lower sections of the two vineyards add vibrant fruit flavors, a supple mid-palate and perfumed aromatics. Each lot was vinified and aged separately in small French oak barrels for 21 months, allowing the characteristics of each block to develop, while adding subtle spice notes. In the latter stages of aging the lots were blended, becoming one in CASK 23.
Wine Spectator: 95 Points
Delivers a lot to like, with a violet thread amid a mix of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry puree flavors, all stitched with light alder, singed vanilla and tobacco notes. Features very light iron and cassis bush notes that curl around the finish, adding subtle tension to the seductive, friendly fruit. Very suave.
Wine Advocate: 95-97+ Points
A barrel sample, the 2018 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color and vivacious notes of stewed black plums, boysenberries and blackcurrant pastilles with suggestions of tobacco leaf, beef drippings and dried Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is refreshing and elegantly styled, featuring a line of finely grained tannins to support the delicate black fruit layers, finishing on a minerally note.
