About this winery

On one of California’s earliest wine estates, a unique terroir and ideal microclimate support a classical standard of viticulture, land use, and winemaking that is as relevant today as it was over a century ago. An intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, Stags’ Leap is a place of natural beauty, storied buildings and gardens, a lively history, and a reputation for elegant wines showing finesse and intensity. Estate Founder Horace Chase partnered with his uncle, W. W. Thompson, on...

See the Stags' Leap detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

The Napa Valley region enjoyed a stunning, near picture-perfect 2018 growing season including good winter rains, mild spring weather, and steady temperatures throughout that allowed for even flowering and bud break. These ideal growing conditions were followed by a cool, even, and slow-paced harvest which allowed the winery to vinify wines at a gentle pace. The resulting 2018 wines are of very high quality with lower alcohol, concentrated flavors, and excellent acidity.

Production notes

The Leap is a barrel selection, a blend of the best Cabernet Sauvignon blocks, lots, and cooperages in a given vintage. Each lot undergoes a nearly month-long maceration period which adds color, tannin, and flavor complexity. Afterward, each lot was held separately in French oak barrels (60% new) for 20 months before Winemaker Christophe Paubert chose the most expressive to blend just before bottling. Keeping each block separate allows close monitoring through aging, maximizing the depth and potential of the estate vineyards.

Tasting notes

Our 2018 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies the distinctive personality of our estate vineyard, offering dark, alluring, layered intensity with notes of black berry fruit alongside a rich, mouth-enveloping texture. It offers aromas and flavors of blackcurrant, cassis, dark raspberry, and black cherry alongside cedar, allspice, graphite, espresso, olive tapenade, and chaparral herbs. Depth, finesse, and elegance are interwoven with power, grace, and structure, full of velvety rich tannins and a long, lingering fresh finish. Drinking beautifully now but exhibits the opulence and structure of the estate that allows this Cabernet to age for many years to come.