2023 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

ABOUT SPRING MOUNTAIN

The Spring Mountain District AVA is a Napa Valley Appellation known for its exposure to the coastal influence of the Pacific Ocean, making it the coolest and wettest of all the Napa Valley AVAs. It’s located west of St. Helena in Napa Valley on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountain Range separating Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. The steep terrain of this region is primarily made up of eastern-facing slopes with good drainage and elevation ranging from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level.

VINEYARD & WINEMAKING

Fruit for this wine is primarily from the Crowley Vineyard, which is farmed biodynamically at almost 2,000 feet on top of Spring Mountain. Its rocky, well-drained, red volcanic Aiken loam, diverse hillside orientations, and moderate climate yield wine grapes with rich concentration. 

VINTAGE

The 2023 vintage has the potential to be the vintage of the decade. It stands as one of the coolest growing seasons Napa Valley has experienced in more than ten years, resulting in wines that are exceptionally flavorful, expressive, and built to age for decades to come. Winter brought abundant rainfall, replenishing reservoirs and deeply saturating the soils. Cooler conditions led to a later-than-average bud break in mid-April, followed by continued cold weather through bloom. Summer unfolded as a classic Napa Valley season, with a consistent cool marine influence that allowed for a slow, even ripening process. With no significant heat spikes in late August or early September, grape clusters developed under ideal conditions. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars saw higher-than-average yields across its estate vineyards. As September progressed without extreme weather, Cabernet Sauvignon benefited from a steady, even ripening period, producing remarkable wines. The 2023 Cabernets are deeply colored, with varietally expressive aromatics and impressive complexity. They show vibrant acidity, rich, layered structure, and refined, persistent tannins. 

TASTING NOTES

The 2023 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon opens with lifted aromas of fresh cranberry, vanilla, and a delicate hint of milk chocolate. The palate is bold and expressive, offering a richly textured mid-palate with layered depth and concentration. Firm yet refined tannins carry through to a structured, dusty finish, providing both length and a sense of elegance.