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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Napa Valley

winemaker's notes:
ARTEMIS, named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, is a wine that truly reflects its name. It's the culmination of winemaker Nicki Pruss' search for superior-quality Napa Valley grapes which, when combined with estate-grown fruit, meld into a Cabernet Sauvignon that mirrors the depth, structure and elegance of our limited-production estate wines. Whereas our Estate Cabernet Sauvignons showcase the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard, ARTEMIS demonstrates how astute grape selection and skillful blending can create a wine that represents the sum of Napa Valley's best Cabernet Sauvignon parts.

Deep garnet in color, the 2008 ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon offers black cherry and cassis tones and a velvety texture to the tannins. The wine delivers great depth and fruit concentration without heaviness on the palate. The incredible combination of vineyards in this blend shows the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars signature style of balance, elegance and restraint. The bright fruit, firm structure and balanced acidity allow this wine to pair well with food. Enjoy it with braised short ribs or filet mignon with a Cabernet green peppercorn demi-glace.

alcohol by volume: 14.5%

critical acclaim:

"This Cabernet is a blend of estate and purchased fruit. In a successful year, it rivals Stag's Leap's best wines, including Cask 23, and 2008 was a very successful year. Blended with 2% Merlot, and aged in lots of new French oak, the wine is, in a word, stunning. Rich, flashy blackberry and dark chocolate flavors are anchored by an earthiness suggesting cured olives and dried herbs. Delicious now, this beauty should develop additional complexities throughout the decade.
Editors' Choice"

95 Points

Wine Enthusiast