Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Stags' Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a 750mL bottle at 14.6% ABV (retailer-stated) from Stags' Leap Winery — the 1893 estate in the Stags Leap District (not Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, a different producer). It combines estate fruit with grapes from select Napa Valley growers, focusing on valley-floor sites and cooler appellations within the valley, which show in the wine's bright red-berry lift. The 2021 vintage was, in the winery's words, a "joyous" season after challenging years: drought-driven low yields delivered exceptionally high-quality fruit — "some of the best in recent years" — with amazing color extraction, aromatic intensity, and tremendous balance. It earned 93 points from three critics: James Suckling, Wine Spectator (James Molesworth), and The Wine Palate (Lisa Perrotti-Brown). Order online at Del Mesa Liquor for San Diego delivery or pickup.
- ABV: 14.6% (retailer-stated)
- Size: 750mL
- Vintage: 2021 — drought year, low yields, exceptional quality ("joyous" season)
- Region: Napa Valley, California (valley-floor and cooler-appellation fruit)
- Scores: 93 James Suckling · 93 Wine Spectator · 93 The Wine Palate
Three 93s for a Drought-Year Cabernet
Low yields are a vigneron's paradox: less wine, better wine. The 2021 drought concentrated everything — budbreak in early April, veraison in early July, reds picked from late August — into fruit with remarkable depth. The result is textbook Stags' Leap: deep saturated ruby, a nose of black raspberry, blackcurrant, and blackberry preserves with delicate violet, and a palate of dark plum, black cherry, redcurrant, and hibiscus flower over savory chaparral sagebrush — lavender and bay laurel. Medium- to full-bodied with a soft, silky texture and velvety-rich tannins, it finishes long and sumptuous. Molesworth found cassis and boysenberry with a toasty finish; Perrotti-Brown noted crushed plums, blueberry compote, and a minty kick. See more from the estate at Stags' Leap and more Napa cabs in our cabernet sauvignon collection.
Tasting Notes
Bright red berry fruits and delicate floral notes of lavender and violet on the nose, with baking-spice hints of caramel, black pepper, and clove from well-integrated oak. The palate is dark plum, black cherry, and redcurrant with hibiscus lift and savory lavender–bay laurel undertones; soft, silky texture with velvety tannins and a long, sumptuous finish.
How to Enjoy
Decant an hour and serve at 60–65°F with dry-aged ribeye, braised short ribs, or hard aged cheeses. Built to drink now or hold — Suckling says "drink or hold." More Napa Valley reds in our red wine collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What scores did the 2021 Stags' Leap Cabernet receive?
93 points from James Suckling (Jan 2024), 93 from Wine Spectator (James Molesworth, Aug 2024), and 93 from The Wine Palate (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Aug 2025).
What was the 2021 Napa vintage like?
A drought year with low yields — the winery calls it a "joyous" season producing some of the best fruit in recent years, with deep color and aromatic intensity.
Is this from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars?
No — this is Stags' Leap Winery (est. 1893, Stags Leap District), a different Napa producer.
Triple-93-point Napa cabernet from a legendary drought vintage — get your bottle from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.