2014 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23

About the Wine

• Drink History: This is the Cabernet Vineyard that won the Judgment of Paris in 1976
• Built for the Ages: This wine has a long life ahead
• Consistent and Outstanding 94-96pt scores from every major critic
• A bottle of the 1973 historic bottle is in the Smithsonian as an "Object that Made America"
• Free Shipping on 4 bottles

The story of CASK 23 began 40 years ago, during the harvest of 1974. Back then, the winery enlisted the help of celebrated winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he tasted through various lots of new wines from that year, one lot from S.L.V. was so beautiful and deliciously distinct the winery decided it should be bottled separately. It was named CASK 23 for the large wooden cask in which it was aged. Today, the wine is a blend of the most distinctive fruit from the S.L.V and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth and richness balanced by restraint. Over the years, CASK 23 has become one of the most highly regarded and collected wines worldwide. It is always limited and always worth collecting.

Winemaker Tasting Notes: The 2014 CASK 23 combines the signature perfume notes of FAY vineyard with the structure and minerality of S.L.V. The wine has complex fruit aromas (black cherry, currant, plum and blueberry jam) along with notes of brown sugar, black tea and violet. On the palate, this opulent Cabernet Sauvignon has a rich mouthfeel with flavors complementing the aromas. The wine’s tannins and texture are on the line between elegance and power and lead to a very long, plush finish. Enjoy this CASK 23 with grilled Rib Eye, prime rib roast or braised short-ribs on creamy polenta.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 90% New French Oak

Reviews

Winemaker Marcus Notaro blends this wine from two adjacent estate-owned vineyards farmed by Kirk Grace. Fay, with its alluvial soils, provides 44 percent of the blend in 2014; the balance comes from S.L.V., where the vines rise higher up the eastern bench of Stag’s Leap, rooted in the crush of volcanic rock that has washed down off the palisades. They combine in a cabernet with cool richness, layering fruit notes of chocolate and wild mushrooms with a rush of satiny fruit tannins. There are no barriers to obscure the wine’s youthful integration or its complexity, still incipient, but there in the breath for minutes, compellingly fresh and satiating in its savor. (4,300 cases) ~ 95 W&S

The top of the line 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 is a blend of fruit from both the Fay and S.L.V. vineyards. The silky tannins and perfume of Fay seem to be especially prominent in the 2014 at this stage. This is an especially polished Cask 23, with polished tannins, notable density and fabulous overall balance. ~93-96 VM

A 100% varietal and estate-grown wine from the site made famous in the Paris Tasting, this offers yeasty brioche aromas that lead to crisp expansive flavors of cassis and red currant. The oak is supportive and integrated, adding to the wine's overall earthiness of dried herb and clove, lasting and juicy on the finish. ~94 WE

Glorious aromas of blacberries and blackcurrants follow through to a full body, ultra-fine tannins and an alluring finish. It shows such polish and verve. Try it in 2020, but it's already a show to taste. Shows the pedigree. ~94 JS

The 2014s are not yet in bottle. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 Estate-Grown is a big-time winner with great fruit, terrific texture, full body, sensational purity and plenty of blue and black fruits interwoven. ~94-96 WA

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