1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Fay vineyard is contiguous with SLV. The winter of 1994/95 was wet and cool, delaying budbreak, flowering, and veraison. There were two heat spikes and fall was dry and warm. Harvest began on 11 September and went through 9 October. 96.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.2% Petite Verdot, 1.4% Merlot. Matured 18 months in French oak. Originally released in 1998 with an RRP of $70. Medium garnet. What a nose! More iodine, crushed leaves, and cigar box than fruit but the fruit is still there keeping it fresh and lively – dried strawberry and cherry with lots of spice. Persistent and long on the finish with a touch of blood and rose. Ideal time to drink this. (SCJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The dark ruby-colored 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard offers elegant, subtle, restrained aromas, fresh, tart, acidic flavors, some cedar, tobacco, and spice, and a medium-bodied finish. It should drink well for 5-7 years. (Tasted in barrel.) Stags Leap Wine Cellars' red wines have always been among my favorites, but I was surprised by the pronounced level of tart acidity found in the 1995s. High acidity, together with a low PH, causes a wine's texture to become compressed. The result is a wine that tastes too compact and lean. The 1995s possess excellent to outstanding raw materials, but does this vintage (the 1994s are also high in acidity) signal a change in the winemaking philosophy at Stag's Leap? I hope not. Tel. (707) 944-2020
About the producer
Warren Winiarski founded Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in 1970 when he purchased the Stag’s Leap Vineyard in Napa’s Stags Leap District. The 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon – only the second vintage – won the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris blind tasting, rocketing the estate to fame.