Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Drink now or cellar for up to 14 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. The world-famous Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in the heart of Napa was founded by Warren Winiarski in 1972 after he gave up his academic career to study winemaking under the legendary Robert Mondavi. Winiarski’s fledgling project shot to fame in 1976 at the Judgement of Paris tasting competition when his 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon was voted to first place by leading French wine critics, beating numerous top Bordeaux chateaux including Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. Artemis is named after the ancient Greek goddess who was traditionally associated with wild animals, and particularly the estate’s namesake stag. Grapes are sourced from some of Napa’s finest plots with a small portion of Merlot and Malbec added to the blend to bring a rich, smooth texture and extra complexity. The wine is then matured in a combination of American and French oak barrels for 18 months. This is a powerful and ageworthy Cabernet which will respond beautifully to another decade or more of cellaring. Voluptuous cassis, black cherry and plum characterise the nose, while the palate offers a generous full body, handsome dark fruit, firm tannins and a well-developed structure. The robust flavour profile makes it ideal to serve with hearty red meat dishes or to hold for another few years.

Price: £79.94 from 8wines UK