2023 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon

ABOUT CASK 23

The story of CASK 23 began during the 1974 harvest when the winery enlisted the help of renowned winemaker André Tchelistcheff. As he sampled various lots of new wines from that year, he discovered one particularly beautiful and distinct lot from the S.L.V. vineyard. Impressed by its quality, the winery decided to bottle it separately. Today, CASK 23 is created by blending exceptional fruit from both the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth and richness, balanced by a sense of restraint.

VINEYARD & WINEMAKING

CASK 23 is a story of two legendary vineyards—S.L.V. and FAY—that come together to create a complex yet harmonious blend. S.L.V., the winery’s first vineyard, made waves in the wine world when it won the "Judgment of Paris" in 1976. Meanwhile, FAY is notable for being the site where Cabernet Sauvignon was first planted in the Stags Leap District in 
1961. These vineyards continue to produce exceptional fruit, which winemaker Marcus Notaro skillfully combines into a wine that keeps you returning to the glass, sip after sip.

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. The two-year average rainfall in 2021 & 2022 was 17.5 inches. In 2023, that figure more than doubled to 39.6 inches at our estate. 

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