At a glance

Producer

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Region

Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$275-$350 (release price, USA retail)

Tasting profile

Black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, graphite, fine oak, violets, integrated sweet spice.

Evolution: With age: forest floor, cigar box, dried rose, truffle, polished tannins, savory depth.

At peak: Seamless texture, layered fruit and tertiary notes; classic Napa elegance with extraordinary depth.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, supportive for aging

Tannins

Firm, resolved but still prominent, fine-grained

Alcohol

Around 14.5% ABV (typical for Napa Valley premium Cabernets)

Aging potential

Excellent; classic Napa Valley structure—will develop for 15-20 years

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2029 to 2038

Optimal window

2027 to 2042

Current status

Young, primary/secondary aromas, structured tannins

Current condition

Tightly wound; decanting recommended for near-term drinking. Developing complexity but primary fruit still dominates.

The FAY Hillside's old-vine material and top hillside terroir yield a structured wine benefiting from 6-8 years of bottle age. Peaks 2029-2038 when tannins polymerize and complex savory/earthy notes emerge alongside persistent fruit.

Food pairing

Prime rib, ribeye steak, rack of lamb, hard aged cheeses, wild mushroom dishes.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has firm tannins that are resolved but still prominent, which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars implements sustainable farming via cover cropping, deficit irrigation, integrated pest management, and energy/water conservation. Winery uses solar, recycles processing water, prioritizes minimal-impact packaging.

While not organically/biodynamically certified, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is a leader in Napa sustainable farming (Napa Green certified) and employs a range of environmental and energy efficiency practices. Glass bottle and long-haul shipping are moderate carbon contributors. Strong local stewardship, solid mid- to upper-tier sustainability in California context, but lacking comprehensive regenerative/organic benchmark.