The 2018 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon captures the distinctive personality of the estate vineyard and this wonderful vintage, offering a dark, seductive, full-bodied wine with an intensity of dark berry fruit alongside a plush, creamy texture. This wine is classic Stags Leap District Cabernet, exhibiting blackberry, raspberry and black currant aromas on the nose, along with subtle baking spice notes of cinnamon, dark chocolate and espresso. The palate comes through with interweaving layers of blackberry, deep plum and black currant, alongside delicate nuances of mocha, espresso, graphite and black pepper spice. The mouthfeel is powerful and rich, with depth and structure, full of velvety round tannins and a long, lingering mouth-watering finish. The texture is robust and plentiful, but the intensity is softened by the terroir elements coming through from the well-balanced delicacy and grace that has become synonymous with Stags’ Leap estate wines. Drinks superbly now but demonstrates the opulence and intrigue of the estate, that will allow this Cabernet to age for many years to come.
Critic Ratings
Robert Parker Wine Advocate Review - Rated 94:
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon The Leap is blended of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it starts off a little closed and broody, giving way to notes of plum preserves, blackcurrant cordial and chocolate-covered cherries, plus hints of unsmoked cigars and black truffles. Medium-bodied, elegant and refreshing, it has lots of tightly wound black fruit and earthy layers with a firm, fine-grained frame and long mineral-laced finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown
James Suckling Review - Rated 96:
Aromas of ripe blackcurrants, blackberries, licorice, cloves and tobacco. Hints of crushed stones and nut shells, too. Firm and chewy with full body and layers of fine, velvety tannins. Compact and muscular with an array of spiced, mellow fruit and a chocolatey finish. Needs some time to soften more. Try after 2024.
