Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
  • Vintage : 2020
  • Country : USA
  • Region : California
  • Subregion : Napa
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,8°
  • Grappes : 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Malbec

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is a sophisticated expression of Napa Valley, blending estate-grown and meticulously sourced fruit for a wine of balance, elegance, and depth.

Experts Score Vintage
DCT Decanter 95 2020
JS James Suckling 93 2020
WE Wine Enthusiast 93 2020
JD Jeb Dunnuck 92 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Artemis sources fruit from select vineyards across Napa Valley, blending grapes from the Atlas Peak District, Coombsville, St. Helena, and Wooden Valley, as well as estate vineyards like S.L.V. and FAY. This diverse sourcing creates a wine that combines the unique characteristics of Napa Valley’s sub-regions.

The vineyards are planted on varied soils, including volcanic and alluvial deposits, which contribute to the wine’s complexity. The careful selection of fruit ensures a balance of vibrant flavors, structure, and aromatic intensity.

Winemaking

The 2020 vintage was shaped by a dry and warm growing season with limited rainfall and several heat spikes. While the harvest was early due to these conditions, meticulous vineyard management and precise winemaking ensured quality fruit.

The wine is composed of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot, aged for 14 months in a combination of 50% new French oak, 4% new American oak, and older French oak barrels. A very light filtration at bottling preserved its purity and depth. The result is a wine with a 14.8% alcohol content, balancing ripeness and structure.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep garnet red.
  • Aromas: Inviting aromas of olive, espresso, black licorice, and red fruit.
  • Palate: Medium to full-bodied, with a smooth mouthfeel and flavors of berry compote, dark chocolate, and a touch of spice. The finish is long and refined, showcasing its balanced acidity and polished tannins.

Did you know?

The name ARTEMIS, derived from the Greek goddess of the hunt, symbolizes the winery’s pursuit of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. This wine offers a blend of estate-grown and selected fruit to capture the valley’s diverse terroirs.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled tri-tip steak: Enhances the wine’s bold flavors and smooth texture.
  • Braised short ribs: Complements the wine’s dark fruit and mocha notes.
  • Pasta with wild mushrooms and prosciutto: Matches the wine’s savory and earthy undertones.
  • Aged Gouda or Gruyère cheese: Balances the wine’s complexity and depth.

History of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

The history of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars began in 1970, when Warren Winiarski, a Harvard-educated philosophy professor turned winemaker, recognized the potential of a small prune orchard in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Inspired by the region’s volcanic soils and unique microclimate, he planted Cabernet Sauvignon and set out to create wines that combined power, elegance, and terroir expression.

Winiarski’s vision bore fruit in 1973, with the first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from the S.L.V. vineyard (Stag's Leap Vineyard). Just three years later, this wine achieved global fame when it was declared the winner of the Judgment of Paris blind tasting in 1976, where it triumphed over some of France's most esteemed Bordeaux wines. This pivotal moment is widely regarded as a turning point in the history of Napa Valley, proving that California wines could rival the best in the world.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars expanded its reputation, refining its winemaking techniques and earning acclaim for its estate wines, particularly Cask 23, a blend of the finest lots from the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards. These wines became benchmarks for the Stags Leap District, a region officially recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1989, with the winery playing a leading role in its establishment.

In 2007, the winery entered a new chapter when it was acquired by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Antinori Family Estates, two world-renowned producers who brought their expertise and global perspective to the estate. Despite the change in ownership, the winery has maintained its focus on producing wines that express the unique terroir of the Stags Leap District. Today, under the leadership of Winemaker Marcus Notaro, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars continues to honor its rich history while innovating for the future.

Region and Vineyards

Located in the heart of the Stags Leap District, the estate spans 97 hectares (240 acres), with three renowned vineyards:

  • S.L.V. (Stag’s Leap Vineyard): Known for its volcanic soils, contributing structure and intensity to the wines.
  • FAY: Famous for its alluvial soils, producing wines with lush fruit, elegance, and a perfumed bouquet.
  • Arcadia Vineyard: Located in Coombsville, this site focuses on Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, offering vibrant and mineral-driven wines.

The Stags Leap District AVA benefits from a Mediterranean climate, with warm days that ensure ripeness and cool nights that preserve acidity and freshness. The region’s unique combination of volcanic and alluvial soils creates wines with both power and finesse.

Wine Range of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is celebrated for its exceptional range of wines, including:

  • Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon: A flagship wine blending the finest blocks of S.L.V. and FAY, known for its complexity, elegance, and aging potential.
  • S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon: A bold, structured wine with dark fruit and mineral notes from volcanic soils.
  • FAY Cabernet Sauvignon: A lush and aromatic wine showcasing red fruit and floral elegance.
  • Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon: A blend of estate-grown and Napa-sourced fruit, offering approachability and balance.
  • Karia Chardonnay: A vibrant and fresh Chardonnay with mineral-driven character.

Did you know?

The Judgment of Paris in 1976, where Stag's Leap Wine Cellars’ 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon won, is often credited as the moment that put Napa Valley on the map. It marked the first time a California wine outshone its French counterparts in a prestigious blind tasting.

Decanter (DCT) : 95 Points (2020)
The 2020 Artemis is a blend of Cabernet grapes sourced from growers in Napa's Atlas Peak District, Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville, Battuello Vineyard in St. Helena, Rancho Chimiles in Wooden Valley. It includes some grapes from S.L.V. and FAY vineyards. This is about as fresh, pure, and classic as Napa Cabernet comes. Lavish aromas of ripe blackberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit just lift from the glass tinged with cedar, cassis and pipe tobacco. Plush and fruit-forward with cascading waves of blueberries, graham cracker crust, and candied violets that wash over the palate, buoyed by supple, long, satiny tannins and rounded acidity. Emerging loamy earth, coffee beans, and herbs on a long finish. Downright delicious. (JC) (4/2023)

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2020)
The violet lift to the nose is knitting well with the ripe blackberries, chocolate and sweet spices. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, with dense yet creamy tannins adhering to the dark fruit. Fleshy and polished, with a pretty finish. A solid effort for the vintage.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 93 Points (2020)
This plush, delicious and fruit-drenched wine pairs wonderful black fruit nuances of crème de cassis and black cherries with subtle, layered oak spices of new leather, tobacco and graphite, while a creamy texture makes the texture almost irresistible.

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 92 Points (2020)
The deep purple-hued 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis (there’s 1% Merlot in the blend) is classy stuff, offering ample plum and blackberry-like fruits, some scorched earth and tobacco, medium to full body, good mid-palate density, and ripe yet firm tannins. It’s incredibly well done in the vintage.

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