Stags’ Leap Winery, Stags Leap District (Napa Valley, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

I often find myself in the position of tasting 100% varietal wines and wishing that the winemaking decisions had included the blending in of small amounts of complementary varieties.  Not so in this case, as winemaker Christophe Paubert wisely chooses to let this fruit announce itself clearly and unashamedly.  It’s a wine that can benefit from some taming time, but you’ll want to give it a go in its youth for its exuberance and complexity, enjoying the full force of blackberry, cassis, cherry, pepper, cedary spice notes and hint of espresso.  I’d call this a value priced bottle in its neighborhood.