Description		Press Acclaim

ORIGIN: Supple tannins and black cherry fruit flavors are immediately noticeable from this world-famous Stags Leap District appellation. The estate-bottled 2000 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in the Bordeaux style by carefully blending 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 5% Merlot.

VINEYARD: The Stags Leap District's climate leads to slow, even fruit development. San Pablo Bay marine influences result in moderate temperatures, foggy mornings, and warm late afternoons throughout the growing season. The majority of our estate vineyards in this region grow on steeply-terraced hillsides with Bale clay loam soils. The Bordeaux varietals are densely planted, with spacings ranging from 4 x 6 feet to as narrow as 3 x 5 feet, which allow competition between the vines, producing lower yields per vine with a greater intensity of flavor.

WINEMAKING: The grapes were harvested in late September and the first week of October, pumped over traditionally and macerated on the skins for 20-29 days. The wine was pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation, and aged 85% new, and 15% on-year-old heavily-toasted French oak barrels for 20 months. The wine was bottled in August without fining or filtration.

ORIGINAL TASTING NOTES: Sweet aromas of mocha, toffee and dark chocolate mingle with allspice berry, black cherry, tea, violets and black fruits in this full-bodied Cabernet. A supple, rich entry is marked by flavors dark chocolate covered cherries, blackberry and butter vanilla with slight molasses and tobacco notes. Sweet oak is discernible in its very long finish, as well as an undeniably creamy texture. With its firm, well-structured tannins it may be consumed now or cellar aged for future enjoyment.

CURRENT TASTING NOTES (July, 2010): The 2000 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon delivers an amazing array of luscious sensations to both the nose and the palate.  Upon the first swirl, gorgeous aromas of holiday spice cake, buttersweet cocoa, dried cherry and plum reveal themselves.  The wine greets the palate with a profusion of sweet ripe black cherry and baked black plum alongside dark chocolate, ginger, cinnamon and green peppercorn.  An enduring, smoky finish and outstanding balance characterize this mature and elegant wine. 

FOOD PAIRING: Grilled Marinated Lamb Skewers

CHEESE PAIRING: Aged Red Cow Parmesan

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