Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Judgment of Paris 50th Anniversary"
Stags Leap District AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 37
Vintage: 2023
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District
10 cases produced
Highlights
- This wine blends 5% Cabernet Franc and 95% Cabernet Sauvignon from estate vineyards
- The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Judgment of Paris-winning Stag’s Leap Vineyard
- Aging 21 months in 100% new French oak, this Cabernet is characterized by a balance of power and finesse
- The wine's signature smoothness, with refined tannins, makes the wine approachable yet ageable
Description
S.L.V., also known as Stag’s Leap Vineyards, is Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ first vineyard. Planted in 1970, this vineyard achieved international fame when three-year-old vines from the 1973 harvest produced a wine that stunned the wine world when it bested some of France’s greatest wines in a 1976 blind tasting known as the “Judgment of Paris.” Today, this history-making vineyard continues to produce wines with layers of complexity, spicy intensity and excellent structure—promising long life and age-ability.
This Premiere Napa Valley lot celebrates this milestone 50 years ago, and is the first S.L.V. bottling available to purchase from the incredible 2023 vintage. This vintage is among the coolest growing seasons in Napa Valley in the past 10-plus years, resulting in wines that are exceptionally flavorful, expressive and have strong potential to age for decades to come. Cool conditions led to a later-than-average bud break in mid-April, with continued cold weather throughout bloom. Summer was a classic for Napa Valley. Warm sunny days combined with cool sea breezes in the late afternoon and evening persisted all season long, resulting in a slow and even ripening period.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Marcus Notaro
Winemaker, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Marcus Notaro joined Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in May 2013 as Winemaker, bringing with him close to two decades of expertise and passion for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. Marcus was previously making red wines in Washington state since 1995 and was the winemaker for Col Solare, a prestigious winery located in the Red Mountain appellation of Washington State. Col Solare is a partnership between Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Marchesi Antinori of Italy.
Marcus loves the complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon, saying, "It can make a rich, powerful wine without being heavy while truly expressing where it was grown." This passion is what drew Marcus to Napa Valley and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. His understanding of the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars signature wine style -- one of elegance and balance, ripeness and restraint -- and his ability to express both the terroir of the vineyard and the true varietal character of the grape, make him ideally suited for continuing the winemaking legacy at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
Country born: United States
Education: While working at Col Solare, Marcus Notaro developed a strong rapport with the Antinori vineyard and winemaking teams during frequent travels to the Antinori estates in Tuscany. That experience fostered an international winemaking perspective that he has brought to his new role at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Everything begins in the vineyard and then it all comes together in the cellar. You need to do what the vineyard and the vintage tell you.
Winery Distribution
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- Alaska (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Arizona (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Arkansas (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- California (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Colorado (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Connecticut (Allan S Goodman, Inc.)
- Connecticut (Brescome Barton, Inc.)
- Connecticut (Eder Brothers, Inc.)
- Delaware (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Florida (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Georgia (United Distributors, Inc.)
- Hawaii (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Idaho (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Idaho (TEC Distributing)
- Idaho (C. Stein, Inc. dba CSB)
- Idaho (S & C Importers and Distributors, Inc.)
- Illinois (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Indiana (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Iowa (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Kansas (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Kentucky (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Louisiana (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Maryland (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Minnesota (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Mississippi (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Missouri (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Montana (Blue Rock Distributing Company)
- Montana (Briggs Distributing )
- Montana (Bronken's Good Time Company)
- Montana (Gusto Distributing Co.)
- Montana (Lehrkind's Incorporated)
- Nebraska (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Nevada (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- New Hampshire (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- New Mexico (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- New York (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- North Dakota (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Ohio (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Oklahoma (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Oregon (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Pennsylvania (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- South Carolina (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- South Dakota (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Texas (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Utah (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Washington (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)
- Wyoming (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits)