After 16 years of collaboration with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Marchesi Antinori acquired full ownership of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in 2023. The Antinori family now has nearly 297 acres of vineyards in Napa Valley.
These SLV vineyards were first planted in 1970, receiving world class accolades for their display in the 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars SLV Cabernet Sauvignon during the Judgement of Paris Tasting in 1976.

This wine is composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged for 20 months in 100% New French Oak. There is something quietly powerful about this wine which is deeply opaque with radiant purple edges, It flaunts its celebrity status with a poetic floral bouquet that deepens over time. As you enter there is a wealth of finely detailed black fruits of warm blueberry compote and macerated black plums nuanced with underpinnings of savory Asian spices, roasted espresso and a hint of loamy earth. This is a gratifying wine that has multiple layers of complexities and finely polished tannins that meld into the background. The finish is long and distinguished. The wine displays a true Stag’s Leap “sense of place” and is well worth cellaring or opening for the long term memories that it will provide.

By W Peter Hoyne