S.L.V., also known as Stag’s Leap Vineyards, is the winery’s first vineyard. Planted in 1970, this vineyard achieved international fame when three-year old vines from the 1973 harvest produced a wine that stunned the wine world when it bested some of France’s greatest wines in a 1976 blind tasting known as the “Judgment of Paris.” Today, this history-making vineyard continues to produce wines with layers of complexity, spicy intensity and excellent structure—promising long life and ageability.
The 2017 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon offers generous aromas of dark chocolate, graphite, truffle, dried fig and a lovely touch of violet. Rich and refined on the mid-palate, the wine has a long and well-structured finish with a dusty cocoa powder note. The tannin structure, rich dark fruit, and pleasing minerality point to this wine’s ability to age. Enjoy with Moroccan-spiced Shrimp over sweet potato mash, grilled buffalo burgers with caramelized onions & Havarti cheese or baked chicken with hazelnut Mole sauce.
Robert Parker- A barrel sample, the very deep purple-black colored 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. leaps from glass with baked black plums, blackberry pie and black currant cordial notes plus hints of wild sage, charcuterie, tapenade and tree bark. Full-bodied, firm and grainy, the rock solid foundation well frames the broody black fruit and it finishes earthy.
James Suckling- This leads with blackcurrants, stewed blackberries, eucalyptus and cloves. Some dried violets, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Very well integrated. Lovely ripe fruit and sweet spices on the finish. Delicious. Drink or hold.
Decanter- Warren Winiarski planted the SLV Vineyard in 1970 and just three years later produced the wine that would infamously go on to triumph over the other lauded reds in the 1976 Judgement of Paris. This site produces a more punchy, weighty Cabernet than that of the Fay vineyard next door. It’s sappy, brambly and pointed on the nose, displaying the warmth of the 2017 vintage. The palate is black-fruited, with dusty tannins and a long, dry finish. Decidedly ripe but retains a classic firm structure. Drinking Window 2020 – 2040
Wine & Spirits- The rocky hillside soils of S.L.V. produced a dark and savory cabernet in 2017, with peppery intensity that feels driven by alcohol at first. Then, as it settles and integrates, the alcohol becomes part of the dynamic whole, layered into the tannins to highlight their dark-chocolate succulence. It’s generous with blackberry fruit that still carries its youthful grapiness, structured to age and evolve over the next ten years.
Wine Spectator- Compact, with a juicy core of blackberry and black currant fruit waiting to unwind. When it does, this will have lively licorice snap and singed apple wood notes. There’s a subtle violet hint in the background to add some grace, but this has a nice sense of power overall. Best from 2021 through 2032.