92pts James Suckling

This vivid, crisp, herbaceous wine practically vibrates with energy, the aromas and flavors dominated by bright citrus and savory herb nuances. Tangy acidity lifts lemons, limes and apples while sliced celery and cucumber add complexity and interest. Drink now.

91pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Aveta includes a good percentage of Musqué clone (27%), along with tiny proportions of Sémillon and Muscat Canelli. Matured in a 50-50 mix of stainless steel and older barrels, it offers up pungent boxwood and grapefruit scents, with just a hint of pear. Melon and fig join in on the plump, medium-bodied palate, while the wine then turns crisper on the citrus-tinged finish.

Tasting Notes

Fragrant and inviting, this Sauvignon Blanc offers aromas of mango, gooseberries, white peach, and pineapple, with a touch of orange blossoms and straw. This wine is bright with a refreshing mouthfeel, mineral and citrus notes, and a touch of grapefruit and grass on the vibrant finish.

Try pairing AVETA with fresh fish ceviche, crab cakes or grilled oysters with mignonette sauce.

About the Wine

AVETA is named for a water goddess often depicted carrying fruit. It is a fitting moniker to express the vibrant fruit flavors and minerality of our Sauvignon Blanc which is crafted from fruit grown in the alluvial soils of our estate vineyards as well as other exceptional Napa Valley sites. While Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars began making Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc in the early 1980s, 2013 was the first vintage to carry the name “AVETA.”

Key vineyards for this wine included Danika Ranch (52%), Bravo Zulu (13%), Rancho Chimiles (21%) and Ryan’s Vineyard (12%). Oak Knoll fruit brings spicy peach, guava and grapefruit notes to the mix. The juice was fermented at cool temperatures in a mix of stainless steel (63%) and neutral French oak barrels (37%). The wine was aged on light lees for 6 months and was stirred every two weeks, providing some roundness to the wine’s texture.

About the Winery

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was founded in 1970 with the purchase of a 40 acre property in the now famed Stag’s Leap District AVA in Napa Valley. The winery brought international recognition to California winemaking and the Napa Valley region when their 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon won the 1976 Paris Tasting, also known as the "Judgement of Paris."

Blend: 68% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Sauvignon Musque, 4% Sémillon, 1% Muscat Canelli