Stature Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Stature Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 is a library-release Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Kendall-Jackson in a limited run of just 932 cases (750ml). This single-vintage bottling stands apart through an unusually extended 51-day skin contact period—roughly double the industry norm—yielding exceptional depth of color, tannin structure, and concentrated dark-fruit intensity rarely seen even among premium Napa bottlings of the era.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 1999  |  Producer: Kendall-Jackson  |  Production: 932 cases

Production & Heritage

Kendall-Jackson, founded in 1982 by Jess Jackson in Sonoma County, launched the Stature label as the pinnacle of its Cabernet Sauvignon program, sourcing fruit from select Napa Valley vineyard sites. The 1999 vintage underwent 51 days of skin contact before being aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, 44% of which were new. That prolonged maceration extracted layers of phenolic complexity while the restrained proportion of new oak allowed varietal character and vintage expression to remain at the forefront rather than being masked by wood influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pure crème de cassis and ripe blackberry, followed by waves of violet, bitter chocolate, and fresh mint. Subtle undertones of vanilla emerge as the wine breathes, reflecting its time in French oak.

Taste: The entry is sweet and suave, delivering creamy plum and cassis flavors layered with licorice. The mid-palate reveals rich, polished currant and blackberry fruit supported by firm yet integrated tannins. A thread of fresh leather and lavender adds savory counterpoint to the fruit-forward core.

Finish: The finish is long and structured, with lingering notes of cedar, baking spice, and dark plum that persist well beyond the final sip. Tannins remain present but resolved, lending a silky texture that speaks to over two decades of bottle age.

How to Drink Stature 1999

A wine of this age and structure is best enjoyed on its own terms. Decant for 30 to 60 minutes before serving at 60–65°F to allow the complex tertiary aromas to fully develop. A large-bowled Bordeaux glass will concentrate the bouquet. Given its rarity and evolved character, this is a bottle meant for quiet, focused appreciation rather than mixing into cocktails or sangria.

Best For

• Celebrating a milestone anniversary or birthday from the 1999 vintage year
• Gifting a serious Napa Valley Cabernet collector a rare library release
• Anchoring a vertical tasting of late-1990s Napa Cabernet Sauvignons
• Pairing with a special-occasion dinner featuring prime beef or lamb

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stature 1999 taste like? It delivers creamy, concentrated flavors of cassis, plum, and blackberry supported by firm tannins, with secondary notes of licorice, cedar, and leather that reflect both the extended maceration and over two decades of bottle maturation.

How does Stature 1999 compare to Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon? Stature sits at the top of Kendall-Jackson's red wine hierarchy, above the Grand Reserve tier, with longer skin contact, more selective vineyard sourcing, and significantly smaller production. The Grand Reserve is a broader Napa-Sonoma blend designed for wider availability, while Stature is a limited Napa Valley bottling with just 932 cases produced in 1999.

Is Stature 1999 good for sipping neat? Absolutely—this is a wine designed for contemplative drinking, and its 25-plus years of age have softened the tannins into a polished, layered experience best appreciated on its own or alongside food.

Where is Stature 1999 made? Stature 1999 was produced by Kendall-Jackson from Napa Valley fruit in California, vinified and barrel-aged under the direction of the winery's estate program.

What foods pair well with Stature 1999? Dry-aged ribeye steak highlights the wine's dark-fruit richness; roasted rack of lamb with herb crust mirrors its cedar and spice notes; aged Gruyère or Comté cheese complements its savory undertones; braised short ribs echo its deep, slow-built complexity; and dark chocolate truffles match the bitter-chocolate thread found on the nose.

What sizes does Stature 1999 come in? The Stature Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 was released in standard 750ml bottles.

Is Stature 1999 worth the price? Stature positions as an ultra-premium, library-release Napa Cabernet with extremely limited production of 932 cases, placing it in the collector tier where rarity, provenance, and vintage character drive value beyond the wine's original release price.

Why Stature 1999?

The defining feature of this wine is the 51-day skin contact, a maceration period that far exceeds the standard 10 to 30 days used by most Napa Cabernet producers. That extended extraction created a foundation of tannin and pigment that has allowed the wine to age gracefully for over two decades. With only 932 cases ever produced and 22 months of careful French oak maturation at a measured 44% new-barrel ratio, Stature 1999 represents a snapshot of peak Napa Valley winemaking from one of the region's most celebrated late-century vintages. For collectors seeking library-condition Cabernet with genuine provenance and structural integrity, few bottlings from this era carry the same combination of limited production and meticulous cellar work.