2023 ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon, 93 Points

ABOUT ARTEMIS

ARTEMIS, named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, is a wine that truly reflects its name. It’s the culmination of our hunt for the finest grapes from Napa Valley, which, when combined with estate-grown fruit, combine to create a Cabernet Sauvignon that expresses the regional character of Napa Valley with the signature style of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. This approach results in a wine of lush fruit flavors balanced by extraordinary structure and elegance. ARTEMIS demonstrates how astute grape selection and skillful blending can create a wine that represents the sum of Napa Valley’s best parts.

VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING

The grapes for ARTEMIS are sourced from a select group of vineyards, carefully chosen to highlight the unique qualities of each site. In a warmer vintage, the optimal sources for ARTEMIS come from the cooler, higher elevation areas, ensuring the balance of ripeness and freshness. The main contributors to this exceptional wine include Atlas Peak, accounting for 42% of the grapes, and the Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville, which contributes 11%. Battuello Vineyards in St. Helena also contribute 11%, followed by Twin Creeks Vineyards at 9%, Elia (an estate vineyard in northern Napa) at 4%, and Rancho Chimiles in Wooden Valley at 3%. 

VINTAGE

The 2023 vintage could be the vintage of the decade. It is among the coolest growing seasons in Napa Valley in the past ten-plus years, resulting in wines that are exceptionally flavorful, expressive, and have strong potential to age for decades to come. Winter brought ample rainfall that filled reservoirs and enriched soils with lasting saturation. Cool conditions led to a later-than-average bud break in mid-April, with continued cold weather throughout bloom. Summer was a classic for Napa Valley. Warm sunny days combined with cool sea breezes in the late afternoon and evening persisted all season long, resulting in a slow and even ripening period. 

TASTING NOTES

Expressive aromas of ripe currants and Bing cherries, complemented by subtle hints of cedar, fresh tobacco leaf, and blackberry compote. On the palate, it is rich and flavorful, featuring a lively, well-balanced mouthfeel. Polished tannins coat the palate, delivering persistent flavors of dark chocolate and black currant. The finish is long and savory, characterized by depth and lingering complexity that encourages another sip.