2023 Rancho Chimiles Cabernet Sauvignon

ABOUT RANCHO CHIMILES

Terry Wilson, owner of Rancho Chimiles and one of our longtime friends, is a meticulous grower whose philosophy of farming matches our own. Fruit from Rancho Chimiles has historically been part of our Napa Valley Collection of wines, but we also produce small quantities of this single-vineyard wine for our wine club members. 

VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING

Tucked into the hills of Wooden Valley northeast of the town of Napa, the Rancho Chimiles vineyard is influenced by nearby San Pablo Bay, which funnels cool air and fog into the area in the evening and early morning hours. But at an elevation of 615 feet, the vineyard also receives plenty of sunshine. 

VINTAGE

The 2023 vintage stands out as a potential vintage of the decade. Marked by one of the coolest growing seasons in Napa Valley in more than ten years, it has produced wines that are exceptionally flavorful, expressive, and built for long-term aging. Winter brought abundant rainfall, replenishing reservoirs and deeply saturating soils. After a two-year average of just 17.5 inches in 2021 and 2022, precipitation more than doubled in 2023, reaching 39.6 inches at the estate. These cool, wet conditions led to a later-than-average bud break in mid-April, followed by continued cold weather through bloom. 

Summer unfolded in classic Napa Valley fashion, with warm, sunny days balanced by cool afternoon and evening breezes. The absence of significant heat spikes—particularly in late August and early September—allowed for a slow, even ripening period, resulting in beautifully developed grape clusters. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars saw higher-than-average yields across its estate vineyards, with September progressing under ideal conditions for steady, uninterrupted maturation. The resulting 2023 Cabernets are deeply colored and varietally expressive, offering remarkable complexity and character. They are defined by vibrant acidity, rich, layered structures, and long, refined tannins, underscoring the exceptional quality and aging potential of the vintage. 

TASTING NOTES