Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Aveta’ Sauvignon Blanc 2022
This is an awesome example of what I have been saying for 5 plus years. How good are Napa Sauvignon Blancs getting? Welcome this like a refreshing tropical breeze.
Loads of enticing notes of grapefruit, tangerine, lychee, and peach will emphasize your anticipation until you take a sip.
One sip, and you are sold on this wine, from the smooth elegant mouthfeel with balance, and mouthwatering acidity to the finely intertwined layers of grapefruit, tangerine, white peach, melon, and apples
with secondary notes of passionfruit, pineapple, and guava. An absolute delight to drink.
I am sure this will cellar out 5 years plus but it is drinking so well now.
Food Pairings should include shellfish, Chicken with lemon butter, and Salads with white fish or chicken. Fish Tacos, Thai Green Chicken Curry, and Goat’s cheese would also work well.
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Artemis’ Cabernet 2021
At the risk of repeating myself, for the benefit of those who do not know, Artemis is the Greek Goddess of the hunt, reflecting the Wineries’ desire to hunt for the best grapes possible to go into this iconic Napa Cabernet.
The 2021 vintage was considered so great, that I was told by a winemaker you could feel the excitement in the Valley leading up to harvest. All this sets the stage for some exceptional wine releases in the future. Like everyone else, I was looking forward to tasting the 2021 releases, so my anticipation was high when this arrived.
It is a blend of fruit, sourced from the warmer northern section of the valley, contributing the black currant and blackberries to this wine, grapes from the cooler southern section of the valley contributing red currants, cherries, and of course, Stags Leap district that contributes a bigger, bolder, yet restrained style of Cabernet with dark fruits and herbs and cooking spices. This wine encompasses all these characteristics, with excellent balance, and all the depth and complexity you would come to expect.
Enticing aromas pour from the glass, blackberries, boysenberries, and chocolate dominate with hints of plum and spices to round things out.
The palate is rich and silky smooth with seamless layers of blackberries, cassis, boysenberries, plums, dark chocolate, and vanilla with secondary notes of black currant, dark raspberries, dark cherries, and spices. I get the impression that everything is where it should be, very intentional.
Throw in some fine tannins, a long finish, excellent structure, and the ability to age 10 – 15 years and you have a winner that is an absolute pleasure to drink.
In its youth, you should decanter between 2 – 4 hours.
Food pairings should center around red meat dishes, make sure it is worthy of this wine.
Vine to Table 