Happy Cellar Saturday! It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making. Tonight, I have opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar long, as I bought it from Wines Till Sold Out back in May. The 2013 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cellarius I Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to 17th Century Dutch-German scholar and map maker, Andreas Cellarius, as Stag's Leap seeks to explore Napa Valley winemaking through a variety of unique perspectives. For the 2013 vintage, the winemakers explore trellising, specifically Moser trellising which creates a split canopy microclimate resulting in supple and elegant Cabernet. Let's see if it worked!
The wine has the look of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet, inky black at the center, garnet along the edges. A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and oak with subtle floral undertones that let you know something elegant is about to happen. The first sip is an explosion of ripe blackberry and cherry that is vibrant yet supple at the same time as the ripe fruit gives way to some earthy mineral notes. As you approach the finish, you are reminded a bit of a tawny port, as the tannins provide the perfect foundation to the velvety smooth dry finish that will have you wanting to slowly sip this wine through an afternoon.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's a fantastic example of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet that exudes quality and luxury. This wine would pair well with a range of hard cheeses and charcuterie, but it really wants to be enjoyed with a steak, ideally a rich, marbled prime steak that will balance the mouthfeel of this wine. Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared prime ribcap on a bed of sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers, wild mushroom farro and steamed asparagus. Cheers!
