90+ 2011 Stags Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 9/20/14 ($45)
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot 13.5% alc
Color: Medium deep black cherry garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Cedar and mocha nuances complement sweet cassis fruit and an interesting herb component. (3.0) Body: Excellent fruit and lean tannins. Light heavyweight with a silky mouthfeel. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with lots of smooth tannins, spicy cedar and a touch of tobacco. (3.0) Finish: Long and tasty, but does show a slight bitterness, probably from oak. (3.0)
Overall: A blend of grapes from their estate that weren't good enough to go into their single vineyard bottlings and other grapes from Napa Valley. This wine does reflect the winery style with a combination of silky elegance combined with firm, yet smooth, tannins that should allow it to age and improve for several years. A significant dose of spicy oak is present along with very tasty cassis fruit. A very well made, consistent Napa Cabernet. I wouldn't call it a bargain (Napa Cab almost never is), but very enjoyable and well worth the price. (15.0)
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