1998 - Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon

Our wines from 1981 to 1988 could not carry the “Stags Leap District” label simply because the appellation had yet to be formally recognized. Unfortunately, just as the appellation was being approved, our Silverado Vineyard was hit with the scourge of phylloxera. It wasn’t until 1998 that we could once again create a singular wine from this storied site. For the next four vintages, we worked with various blends from the vineyard to create a wine with the classic forward fruit, firm structure and supple tannins that are the hallmarks of Stags Leap District. That effort culminated in the introduction of SOLO in 2002, to honor Silverado’s own Heritage Clone.

$1550

Vintage Notes A cool, wet spring started the growth cycle off late and slow. A cool, but fair May resulted in a late bloom in June. A warm July followed by a hot August gave the vines the warmth they needed to make up some lost time. Beautiful, clear and warm September and October days brought the grapes to ripeness. Harvest was marked by slightly lighter yields and smaller berries.

Varietal 92% Cabernet Sauvignon
8% Cabernet Franc
Appellation Stags Leap District
Vineyard Silverado Vineyard
Harvest Info October 9 and 17, 1998
Skin Contact 21 days of skin contact
Oak Profile 22 months barrel age
44% new oak
New oak profile: 100% French
Overall oak profile: 100% French
Analysis 14.0% Alcohol
6.18 g/L TA
3.63 pH
Bottled September 2003