93pts James Suckling

Brambles, blue plums and violets followed by graphite, vanilla and mocha with underlying fresh sage notes. Full-bodied, fine and ripe tannins. Structured yet there is a balance and brightness to it. A blend of 40% merlot, 32% petite sirah, 18% cabernet sauvignon and 10% malbec. Well-polished and structured wine without any heaviness. Drink or hold.

Winemaker's Notes

The 2021 Investor demonstrates the character of the vintage perfectly, highlighting ripe red berries and floral violets on the boisterous bouquet. The palate comes across with more bramble berry rusticity showing notes of crushed boysenberry, dark plum and black raspberry, supported by a lovely freshness, with delicate notes of chaparral sage and wild lavender. A toastiness comes through from the oak profile with warm baking spice notes of vanilla, caramel, and mocha. The depth of fruit is palpable with a plush richness driven by the merlot, while fine-tannins, soft texture, and good weight provide lovely structure, balance, and precision, carrying through to a lengthy spiced finish that lingers and encourages sip after sip.

About the Wine

The Investor is a red wine that beautifully blends together the unique flavors and expressions of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, resulting in a powerful, yet approachable assemblage with significant fruit presence. The Merlot contributes fresh red berry aromatics and a soft, velvety texture to balance the power of Petite Sirah, which adds concentration, tannins, spice, and blueberry flavors. The Cabernet Sauvignon further increases the final blend’s complexity and depth, and the Malbec’s incredibly vibrant floral aromatics heighten the blend’s freshness. Most of the Petite Sirah fruit comes from estate vineyards in Oakville and Oak Knoll, and additional fruit is sourced from a diverse selection of northern and southern Napa Valley vineyards to broaden the wine’s floral and spicy characteristics. The Merlot is sourced from our Stags’ Leap estate vineyards as well as grower vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley, and a selection of southern valley floor Cabernet Sauvignon fruit makes up the balance of the blend.

About the Winery

A fashionable country resort in the mid-twentieth century, popular with Hollywood due to its 1892 stone Manor House and historic gardens, legends of bootleggers and gangsters, ghosts and gypsies, Stags' Leap has been home to three major family groups up through the modern revitalization of the winery that began in the 1970s.

Stags Leap Manor, as it was called in the 1920s, was known as one of the prominent country retreats in the Napa Valley at a time when resort and spa business was big. In addition to lodging and dining, amenities included lawn tennis, swimming, horseback riding, children's activities, golf, music, cards, a library, and Napa Valley wines and liquors (prior to and after Prohibition).

An intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, Stags Leap is a place of natural beauty, storied buildings and gardens, a lively history, and a reputation for elegant wines showing finesse and intensity.

Blend: 40% Merlot, 32% Petite Sirah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec