What Makes Stags Leap District Wine So Unique?
The Stags Leap District is forged from fractured volcanic rock and alluvial gravel. Harsh, rugged terrain that challenges the vine and rewards only the most resilient fruit. It’s a landscape that demands strength, endurance, and wild spirit—much like the legendary wild boar that roamed these hills. Known for their power and untamed instinct, the boars symbolize the raw energy of this place: a terrain that yields Cabernet Sauvignon with muscle, precision, and primal elegance.
2023 Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon
TASTING NOTES
The Boar label is our tribute to this unforgiving terroir. A bold, fearless wine that channels the strength of the rocky soils beneath it and the wildness of the creatures who once ruled its ridgelines. The tannins arrive powerful yet precise, echoing the boar’s primal agility, with layers of charred herbs, cacao nib, and dried sage unfolding slowly. Lower fermentation temperatures preserve purity, while extended maceration tames the natural ferocity. Stags Leaps' Cabernet Sauvignon is therefore a creature of its environment—wild, elemental, and the artwork becomes its perfect emblem.
VARIETAL
99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc
MATURATION
French oak barrels for 14 months
ALC/VOL
14.5%
Winemaking
The 2023 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of this iconic AVA—where steep hillsides, gravely volcanic soils, and cooler temperatures create wines of unmistakable finesse and intensity. The fruit was hand-harvested from a rugged, rocky site known for yielding smaller berries and concentrated flavors. A gentle cold soak encouraged nuanced color and aroma development before fermentation in stainless steel tanks with regular pumpovers to build structure without overwhelming the wine’s elegant profile. A post-fermentation maceration enhanced mid-palate texture and complexity, followed by malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barrels. Stags Leap’s signature duality—power and poise—shines through: a wine of bold structure, deep black fruit, and savory earthiness, layered with notes of warm spice and graphite. The district’s famed “iron fist in a velvet glove” character is fully realized in this vintage—smoky, sophisticated, and endlessly expressive.