The S.L.V. vineyard is arguably the single most consequential planting in California wine history. Warren Winiarski established it in 1970, and just three years later fruit from those very young vines produced the 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon, which beat several of Bordeaux's most celebrated wines in a blind tasting held in Paris in 1976. That result, now known as the Judgment of Paris, transformed the international standing of Napa Valley overnight, and every bottle of S.L.V. since carries that lineage. The 2019 growing season began awkwardly and finished beautifully. Spring in Napa was wet, with significant rainfall that drove heavy canopy growth and caused some shatter during bloom, and the vineyard team spent the season balancing canopies and fruit load and timing sun exposure carefully. What followed was close to ideal, and the wine reflects that recovery: it has the perfume and freshness of a cooler start with the concentration of a warm finish. The nose is generous, giving black currant, plum and candied fig alongside cocoa dust, dried herb and clove spice, with a distinct note of crushed rock underneath. The palate carries dense but polished tannins that meld into layers of dark fruit, fig and violet, threaded with tangy cassis and a firm mineral core. That combination of structure, dark fruit and stony minerality is precisely what marks S.L.V. as a wine built for the long haul, and critics have pointed drinking windows toward the end of the 2030s. Decant it for an hour if opening now, or cellar it. Serve with steak, duck confit or a mushroom ragù.
ABV / Proof
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Napa Valley, California |
| Appellation |
Stags Leap District |
| Vineyard |
S.L.V., planted 1970 |
| Producer |
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, established 1970 |
| Varietal |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage |
2019 |
| Style |
Full bodied red, estate grown |
| Drinking Window |
2029 through 2039 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Medium to deep ruby with purple depth at the core.
Nose: Generous and perfumed, with black currant, plum and candied fig over cocoa dust, dusty dried herb and clove spice.
Palate: Supple yet firm, with dense but polished tannins melding into layers of dark fruit, fig and violet, cut by tangy cassis and notes of crushed rock.
Finish: Long and structured, closing on minerality, dark fruit and a fine grained tannic grip.
FAQ
What is S.L.V.? Stag's Leap Vineyard, the winery's first planting, established in 1970 in what is now the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.
What is its historical significance? Fruit from the young S.L.V. vines produced the 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon that beat leading Bordeaux wines in a blind tasting in Paris in 1976, an event known as the Judgment of Paris that transformed Napa Valley's international reputation.
What was the 2019 vintage like? Spring was wet, with heavy rain driving canopy growth and causing some shatter during bloom. Careful canopy and fruit load management followed, and the summer delivered near ideal conditions, giving a wine with both freshness and concentration.
How does it compare to Fay and Cask 23? S.L.V. is typically richer and more structured than the Fay Vineyard bottling, which is more supple and perfumed. Cask 23 blends the most distinctive lots from both vineyards.
How long will it keep? Critics have suggested a drinking window running from 2029 through 2039, so this rewards cellaring and benefits from decanting if opened now.
Where can I buy Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
