2018 CELLARIUS SERIES I Cabernet Sauvignon

ABOUT CELLARIUS

Andreas Cellarius was a 17th Century Dutch-German scholar and map maker. His 1661 text, the Harmonia Macrocosmica, illustrated the theories and philosophies on the science of stellar and planetary movement that were debated during the Renaissance period. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars owns a set of nine of the engravings. Highly detailed, the artist created works that manage to be both precise in their presentation of the theories of the day, and strikingly beautiful.  

VINTAGE 

In 2018, winemaking hand-selected the best Cabernet Sauvignon from our top Napa Valley vineyard sources and blended the wine before letting it age in a single barrel type specifically chosen to match the wine's structure. Then end result is a wine rich texture, robust dark fruit aromas, and a long finish.

The 2018 season began with productive, late season rains that translated into strong vine growth throughout the spring. Cool temperatures in late spring resulted in an extended bloom period and very good fruit-set. Except for a hot July, the summer was beautiful with temperatures neither too hot nor too cool – a true Goldilocks zone. Cool temperatures returned in September that slowed ripening and extended hang-time, resulting in very even ripening with great flavors at lower sugar levels. We completed the harvest for our Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay – and began picking our red grapes – a good month later than in 2017 (and two weeks later than normal). Overall, this was a year of exceptional fruit quality producing wines with expressive fruit character.  

WINE 

The Cellarius Series represents the best Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage sourced from our Napa Valley growers. The 2018 Cellarius Series I is crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from 50% Shooting Star vineyard in Pope Valley and 50% Battuello in St. Helena. Shooting Star lends dark fruit aromas and power. The Battuello Cabernet provides a solid backbone of complex fruit and rich tannins.  

The wine was blended early (a practice common in Bordeaux), right after malolactic fermentation. It was then aged in 100% new French oak (Taransaud) for 18 months. This barrel type was selected to best express the characters of the vintage. 

TASTING NOTES

This Cabernet Sauvignon offers inviting aromas of cassis, dark fruit, iron, ripe plum, raspberry and black pepper along with hints of oak. This full-bodied wine has a savory and silky mouthfeel with a solid, lingering finish. 

FOOD PAIRINGS

Enjoy with filet mignon with red wine demi-glace, duck confit or grilled Portobello mushrooms tossed in olive oil with fresh rosemary.