Stag's Leap Cask 23 2017

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Cask 23” 2017

A Napa Valley icon and one of America’s most collectible Cabernets, Cask 23 represents the pinnacle of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ winemaking. First created in 1974 from a special lot of S.L.V. fruit, Cask 23 is now crafted from the estate’s finest parcels of the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards, blending power and elegance in seamless harmony. The 2017 vintage, shaped by a warm growing season and meticulous vineyard selection, delivers remarkable depth and polish.

The nose is richly layered, offering aromas of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, and dark cherry framed by notes of graphite, espresso, and sweet tobacco. Hints of violet, cedar, and cocoa add aromatic lift. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet impeccably proportioned, with dense, finely grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Concentrated dark fruit flavors are complemented by savory undertones and beautifully integrated oak, leading to a long, velvety finish marked by mineral and spice.

Opulent yet refined, the 2017 Cask 23 is compelling with extended decanting today and built for decades of graceful evolution.

Grape: Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA

Vineyards: S.L.V. & FAY (estate)

Style: Powerful, polished, age-worthy

Pairing: Prime rib, grilled ribeye, lamb, aged hard cheeses

Cellaring: Drink from 2024 with decanting; peak potential through 2045+

A benchmark Napa Cabernet—luxurious, precise, and unmistakably Stags Leap.