In 1976, a young Napa Cabernet from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars beat the great red Bordeaux of France in a blind tasting in Paris. The 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet victory stunned the wine world and put Napa Valley on the global map for good.

The Judgment of Paris

Warren Winiarski, a former University of Chicago lecturer turned winemaker, founded the estate in 1970. He planted the Stag’s Leap Vineyard, known as S.L.V., and made his now legendary 1973 Cabernet from its young vines. At the Judgment of Paris in 1976, organized by Steven Spurrier, that wine placed first among the reds, ahead of first growth Bordeaux.

Winiarski later added the neighboring FAY vineyard. Since 2007 the estate has been owned in partnership by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and the Antinori family of Tuscany, with Marcus Notaro as winemaker since 2013.

A 1973 Napa Cabernet that beat first growth Bordeaux and rewrote the rules in a single afternoon.

The Stags Leap District

The estate sits beneath the rocky Stags Leap palisades on the eastern side of the valley, in the compact Stags Leap District AVA. Two estate vineyards define the house style. S.L.V., on volcanic soils, gives dark, structured wines with cocoa and spice. FAY, on alluvial clay nearer the creek, gives softer, red fruited wines.

Warm days and the cool evening shadow off the palisades build elegance and length into the fruit.

The wines

Cabernet Sauvignon is the soul of the estate. The flagship CASK 23 blends the best of S.L.V. and FAY in exceptional years. Single vineyard S.L.V. and FAY Cabernets show the two terroirs side by side. The wines balance richness and restraint, what Winiarski called an iron fist in a velvet glove.

What to pour it with

These structured Cabernets call for red meat. The tannins fold into a grilled ribeye, lamb chops, or a mushroom rich braise, while the wine red and black fruit answers the char. For CASK 23, keep the plate simple and let the wine lead.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars: common questions