2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars CASK 23
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CASK 23 didn’t start as a plan -
it started as more of “a moment.”
Back in 1974, the winery brought in legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff to taste through the new vintage. One lot from the S.L.V. vineyard (Yes! The very same vineyard that garnered fame in the 1976 “Judgement of Paris”) caught his attention – it was so stunning and distinct it just couldn’t be blended away. It had to stand alone. That’s how CASK 23 was born - out of instinct, not strategy.
Fast-forward to today:
CASK 23 is a powerhouse, blending the dark, brooding intensity of S.L.V. fruit with the supple elegance of the FAY Vineyard (also the first vineyard in Stag’s Leap District to plant Cab Sauv back in 1961). The result? A wine with serious guns, unexpected depth, rich layers, and just enough restraint to keep it dialed in for decades.
2021 was a knockout year for Napa—one that’s widely recognized as a benchmark across the valley. CASK 23 is primed and ready to be a long-lived ambassador for this remarkable Napa vintage. Aged in 100% new French oak for 21 months, the palate profile spotlights black currants, black cherry, tobacco spice and mocha notes, well-wrapped in dense tannins and an incredibly defined finish, making this the perfect partner for all sorts of fancy to favorite meaty fare.
A 100-Point Score from Jeb Dunnuck rounds out the 30,000 ft view of this overachieving Cab. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then 100-points is worth – at least as many.
Buy it!!!
You deserve this splurge!
Jeb Dunnuck
Aged 21 months in new barrels, the tiny production 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 is brooding and inward yet has incredible purity in its darker currant and cassis-like fruit as well as subtle smoked tobacco, crushed stone, liquid violet, and graphite-driven nuances. These carry to a deep, layered, sensationally concentrated Cabernet that has sweet yet building tannins, a seamless mouthfeel, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. It needs to be hidden for a decade if you can, but this is a legend in the making and will have 50+ years or more overall longevity if well stored.
VINTAGE
The 2021 growing season will be remembered for being the second consecutive year of very dry conditions during winter and spring and for challenging weather during bloom and heat, cold, wind, and rain during flowering. This resulted in a reduction in yield and more variability on the clusters themselves. We had classic Napa Valley weather during the heart of the growing season with moderate temperatures and cool sea breezes in the afternoon and evening all summer. Early September saw a mini heat wave that pushed ripeness along, then a return to beautiful weather for the remainder of harvest. Berries were a little smaller than usual with loose clusters. Overall, the 2021 vintage was fantastic for quality and will be regarded as a benchmark year for Napa Valley.
TASTING NOTES
The 2021 CASK 23 combines the signature perfume notes of FAY vineyard with the structure and dark fruit of S.L.V. Inviting aromas of dark currents, blueberry compote, black cherry, tobacco, and spices lead to a flavorful and dense mid-palate with rich and refined tannins and a persistent finish with flavors of dark chocolate, anise, and black fruits.