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Stags' Leap
2021 Stags' Leap The Investor Napa Valley Red Wine
$70.00
Bottle
Price
$70.00
$840.00
Case
(12)
Price
$840.00
Member Pricing
Tasting Notes
The 2021 Investor demonstrates the character of the vintage perfectly, highlighting ripe red berries and floral violets on the boisterous bouquet. The palate comes across with more bramble berry rusticity showing notes of crushed boysenberry, dark plum and black raspberry, supported by a lovely freshness, with delicate notes of chaparral sage and wild lavender. A toastiness comes through from the oak profile with warm baking spice notes of vanilla, caramel, and mocha. The depth of fruit is palpable with a plush richness driven by the merlot, while fine-tannins, soft texture, and good weight provide lovely structure, balance, and precision, carrying through to a lengthy spiced finish that lingers and encourages sip after sip.Technical Information
| Varietal | Red Wine |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Volume | 750mL |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Blend | 40% Merlot, 32% Petite Sirah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec |
| Oak Treatment | Petite Sirah aged in American Oak (24% new) for 18 months; Bordeaux varieties in French oak (35% new) for 18 months |
| Alcohol % | 14.5% |
| Enclosure Type | Cork |
Scores & Accolades
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93“Brambles, blue plums and violets followed by graphite, vanilla and mocha with underlying fresh sage notes. Full-bodied, fine and ripe tannins. Structured yet there is a balance and brightness to it. A blend of 40% merlot, 32% petite sirah, 18% cabernet sauvignon and 10% malbec. Well-polished and structured wine without any heaviness. Drink or hold.” - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
Winemaking
Maceration and fermentation followed suit for each of the varieties, which allowed our winemakers to monitor and evaluate each lot individually, coaxing each varietal to its maximum potential. The wine aged in oak for 18 months - the Petite Sirah in American oak barrels (24% new) while the Bordeaux varieties go to French oak (35% new). The final assemblage was blended just prior to bottling.Vintage
The 2021 season was joyous and welcomed after the challenges of previous vintages, producing exceptionally high-quality fruit, some of the best in recent years. Rain early in the year led to almost no notable precipitation for the rest of the season, providing an ideal environment for grapes to flower, bloom, and set in early spring, with budbreak early in April, followed by flowering and bloom in May. The summer saw early and even ripening throughout the valley, with veraison appearing in early July. Low yields (in part due to drought conditions), created fruit that is intensely flavored and smaller in berry size. One of the earliest starts, harvest began with white wine grapes coming in towards late July, while red wine grapes arrived about a month later, at the end of August. With optimal ripening and taste, our winemakers took their time bringing grapes in, crafting wines of fantastic character, with amazing color extraction, aromatic intensity, tremendous balance, and structure, that are equally lush and fruity. A tremendous year to taste the nuances and terroir distinction from around the valley.Vineyard
The Investor is a red wine that beautifully blends together the unique flavors and expressions of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, resulting in a powerful, yet approachable assemblage with significant fruit presence. The Merlot contributes fresh red berry aromatics and a soft, velvety texture to balance the power of Petite Sirah, which adds concentration, tannins, spice, and blueberry flavors. The Cabernet Sauvignon further increases the final blend’s complexity and depth, and the Malbec’s incredibly vibrant floral aromatics heighten the blend’s freshness. Most of the Petite Sirah fruit comes from estate vineyards in Oakville and Oak Knoll, and additional fruit is sourced from a diverse selection of northern and southern Napa Valley vineyards to broaden the wine’s floral and spicy characteristics. The Merlot is sourced from our Stags’ Leap estate vineyards as well as grower vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley, and a selection of southern valley floor Cabernet Sauvignon fruit makes up the balance of the blend.