The 2020 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
Jeb Dunnuck Review - Rated 91:
While the appellation wine shows clear signs of smoke taint, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon The Leap appears clean and rocks solid, with beautiful cassis, violet, and graphite notes as well as fine tannins in its medium-bodied, balanced profile.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate Review - Rated 91:
This winery's flagship, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon The Leap Estate Grown features aromas of cassis, mocha and cherries. From vines averaging 30 years of age and matured in 65% new French oak, the wine is medium to full-bodied and rather taut in feel, then a bit chalky and astringent on the heavily tannic finish. It needs some time, yet does it have the requisite depth and richness to age more than a decade?
James Suckling Review - Rated 96:
Cassis, fruit cake, and violets followed by ground vanilla beans and mint chocolate with underlying crushed rocks and black ink notes. Full-bodied, firm yet finely grained ripe tannins with good freshness to it. Outstanding concentration with framed structure. Opulent yet harmonious. A blend of 92% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit sirah, 3% malbec and 1% merlot. Aged for 20 months in 65% new French oak barriques. Give this more time to come around. Try after 2027.
