Stags Leap Cellar SLV Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars SLV Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a 750ml, 14.8% ABV single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the historic Stags Leap District. This 2019 vintage earned an extraordinary 99 points and a Cellar Selection designation from Wine Enthusiast magazine, placing it among the highest-rated wines in the publication's history. Additional acclaim includes 96 points from James Suckling and 95 points from The Wine Advocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winery: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Production & Heritage

The SLV (Stag's Leap Vineyards) block was planted in 1970 and achieved global fame just a few years later when the 1973 vintage—produced from three-year-old vines—triumphed over France's most celebrated Bordeaux estates at the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris blind tasting. The 2019 SLV is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented and then aged for 21 months in 100% new French oak barrels. This extended barrel program and exclusive use of new oak differentiate the SLV from many Napa Cabernets, lending the wine a structured, layered complexity rooted in one of California's most storied vineyard sites.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with generous dark fruit—black currant and ripe plum—before shifting into candied fig and cocoa dust. Beneath these primary aromas sit perfumed layers of violet and cassis that add a floral, lifted dimension.

Taste: On entry, the wine is dense and immediate, delivering concentrated dark fruit and fig. The mid-palate reveals polished, velvety tannins that carry dusty plum, crushed rock, and dried herb notes. Despite its richness and primary fruit power, the wine remains juicy and supple, with a surprising sense of balance.

Finish: Long and textured, the finish weaves tangy cassis with clove spice and a persistent mineral undertone. Fine-grained tannins linger well beyond the last sip, suggesting significant cellaring potential.

How to Drink SLV 2019

This wine is best served neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at around 62–65°F; decanting for 60–90 minutes allows the oak integration to soften and the floral aromatics to fully emerge. Given its stature and concentration, the SLV 2019 is primarily a sipping wine, but it also anchors a refined table when paired with food rather than cocktails.

Best For

• Cellaring for 10–20 years as a long-term investment wine
• Gifting a serious Cabernet Sauvignon collector
• Anchoring a Napa Valley vertical tasting alongside earlier SLV vintages
• Serving as the centerpiece pour at a milestone dinner or celebration

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SLV 2019 taste like? The dominant profile centers on concentrated dark fruit—black currant, plum, and fig—wrapped in cocoa dust, violet, and clove spice, all carried by dense yet velvety tannins. A mineral streak of crushed rock and dried herb adds savory depth beneath the fruit.

How does SLV 2019 compare to Stag's Leap Cask 23? Cask 23 is a blend of fruit from both the SLV and FAY vineyards, designed for multi-layered complexity that combines FAY's perfumed red-fruit character with SLV's darker, more powerful fruit and cocoa-dusted tannins. The SLV bottling showcases a single vineyard's intensity and structure, making it more focused and tannic, while Cask 23 tends toward a broader, more integrated expression.

Is SLV 2019 good for cellaring? Yes—its dense tannin architecture, fresh acidity, and 99-point Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection designation all indicate strong aging potential, with most critics suggesting a drinking window that extends into the late 2030s and beyond.

Where is SLV 2019 made? It is produced by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in the Stags Leap District AVA, a sub-appellation on the eastern side of Napa Valley renowned for its volcanic soils and warm, sheltered hillside exposures that favor Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with SLV 2019? Grilled prime ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit density; braised short ribs echo its cocoa and spice layers; roasted lamb rack with rosemary mirrors the dried herb notes; aged Comté or Gruyère cheese highlights the mineral finish; and dark chocolate torte aligns with the cocoa-dust aromatics.

What sizes does SLV 2019 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; larger formats such as magnums may be available through limited allocation depending on vintage production.

Is SLV 2019 worth the price? The SLV sits in the ultra-premium tier of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and with 99 points from Wine Enthusiast alongside 95- and 96-point scores from other major publications, the 2019 vintage represents a peak expression from one of California's most historically significant vineyards—strong value for collectors at this level.

Why SLV 2019?

The 99-point Wine Enthusiast score places the 2019 vintage among the most acclaimed SLV bottlings ever released. Beyond the score, the wine's origin tells a story few vineyards anywhere in the world can match: fruit from the same vines whose 1973 harvest reshaped the global wine industry at the Judgment of Paris. The 2019 growing season in Napa Valley was widely praised for even ripening and balanced conditions, which this wine translates into a rare combination of power and refinement. With 21 months in 100% new French oak and 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a single legendary block, SLV 2019 stands as one of the defining California Cabernets of its vintage.