Stag's Leap Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - Napa Valley, California, USA

Producer's Notes:

The story of CASK 23 began 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. Today, CASK 23 blends distinctive fruit from the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth and richness balanced by restraint.

CASK 23 is a tale of two legendary vineyards – S.L.V. and FAY – that come together in a complex, yet harmonious blend. S.L.V., the winery’s first vineyard, stunned the wine world when it won the “Judgment of Paris” in 1976. And FAY is the site where Cabernet Sauvignon was first planted in the Stags Leap District in 1961. These sites continue to grow fruit that winemaker Marcus Notaro artfully combines into a wine that draws you back to the glass sip after sip.

What we say:

A powerful and polished expression of Napa Cabernet from one of the Valley’s benchmark producers. 2012 is widely regarded as one of the strongest recent vintages of Cask 23. 

On the nose: expect an intense bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum, overlaid with cedar, toast, earth and graphite - deep, layered, and brooding, yet with classic Cask 23 perfume and finesse. 

On the palate: the wine is full-bodied and dense, with concentrated dark fruit (cassIs, black cherry, plum) evolving into rich notes of espresso, mocha and dark chocolate, cedar-wood spice and earth. The tannins are firm and structured but polished, giving a long, expansive finish - powerful but balanced, with intensity and elegance in tandem. 

Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (estate-grown; blend of fruit from FAY and S.L.V. vineyards) 

Style: Full-bodied, structured Napa Cabernet - dense and layered, yet refined and age-worthy

Drink window: 2020–2040+ (will reward 10–20 years additional ageing, maybe more) 

Perfect for: Grilled or roast beef, prime rib, game meats, hearty stews, aged cheeses — robust dishes that match the wine’s intensity

Wine Advocate 96-97 points

A top-tier Napa Cabernet - opulent and powerful but grounded with structure and a refined sense of balance. It’s drinking well now if decanted, but will likely continue to develop for decades.

Please be aware that with all vintage wines, the natural corks may crumble if using a regular corkscrew. Please use proper uncorking tools and exercise caution.  Sediment will settle in the bottle over time therefore decanting prior to serving will remove this deposit. We're happy to advise - drop us a message or give us a call!