The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon SLV Estate is a super-exciting, delineated wine bursting with dark cherries, plums, violets and licorice. Brighter white floral notes add lift and brightness. Layers after layers of flavor build beautifully in this striking Cabernet Sauvignon. The finish alone is striking. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. The changes that have taken place at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars over the last few years are nothing less than stunning. The Antinori family bought a 15% stake in Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in 2007 and was appointed technical director as part of the deal. Long time winemaker Renzo Cotarella, who oversees all of the Antinori wines in Italy plus Antica on Atlas Peak, was brought in to consult. Sadly, the 2008 Cabernets are plagued by brett and are largely disappointing, especially considering the quality these vineyards are capable of. Some of the other recent releases I tasted were frankly undrinkable. Quality takes a meaningful step up in 2009 as the Cabernets acquire elegance and finesse. For some of the bottlings, though, the most obvious jump in quality is from 2009 and 2010. Either way, these new and upcoming releases are compelling and merit significant attention. I can’t possibly understate the huge impact Antinori, Renzo Cotarella and the team at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars are having on the 2009s and 2010s. These are going to be fascinating wines to follow over the coming years and decades. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to taste the Artemis and Cask 23 2010s as the final blends had not yet been made at the time of my tastings.Tel. (707) 944-2020; www.cask23.com

The estate’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate SLV emerges from a parcel next to Fay, but here the terrain is much richer in stones and therefore traps the daytime heat to a far greater extent. Ash, smoke, slate, plums and blackberries are some of the many notes that burst from the glass. The SLV is a big, tannic wine, especially in this vintage. There is more than enough tension and sheer energy to allow for years of great drinking, once the wine softens a bit. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. These 2010 Cabernet Sauvignons from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars are just as exciting from bottle as they were from barrel last year. The improvement in quality that has taken place here over the last few years is simply remarkable. I also tasted several samples of the 2011s, but as was the case at many addresses, the wines were too raw and unfinished to properly evaluate. Unfortunately, there will be no 2011 Cask 23. Tel. (707) 944-2020; www.cask23.com