2009 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Fay Apologue" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a reputation for power, opulence, and the ability to age gracefully. The "Fay Apologue" from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is among the region's top bottlings, a wine sourced from the iconic FAY vineyard. The 2009 vintage offers a beautiful snapshot of this vineyard's expression in a highly-regarded California year.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and the FAY Vineyard
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars gained international recognition in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, where their Cabernet Sauvignon famously bested top Bordeaux wines. The FAY vineyard was a key component of the estate's success. Its unique combination of volcanic soils, hillside location, and cool microclimate produces remarkably complex and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2009 Vintage in Napa Valley
2009 was a near-ideal vintage across Napa. Warm days and cool nights allowed for excellent ripening and balanced acidity. The wines from this year generally display rich fruit character, firm structure, and notable cellaring potential.
Tasting Notes: 2009 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Fay Apologue"
Appearance: Deep ruby red with a slight brick rim, suggesting the wine's beginning stages of maturation.
Aroma: Expect a complex bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, tobacco leaf, and subtle hints of dried herbs and spice.
Palate: This wine is full-bodied, with flavours of dark fruit, cassis, hints of mocha, and well-integrated oak notes. Fine-grained tannins provide a firm backbone, promising continued evolution in the cellar.
Finish: Long and lingering, marked by savoury spice notes and refreshing acidity.
Food Pairings
The 2009 "Fay Apologue" demands rich and equally complex dishes. Consider these pairings:
Grilled Ribeye Steak: The wine's tannins cut through the meat's richness.
Lamb Chops with Herb Crust: The wine echoes the herbal flavours of the dish.
Aged Gouda: The cheese's savoury notes complement the wine's secondary flavours.
Cellaring Potential
The 2009 "Fay Apologue" is still in its prime drinking window but has the potential to age gracefully for a decade or more under ideal cellaring conditions.
Finding the Wine
While limited in availability due to its age, you might find it at:
Online Wine Auctions: Keep an eye on platforms specializing in older vintages.
Fine Wine Retailers: Specialty wine shops might carry a bottle or two.
Direct from the Winery: Stag's Leap occasionally releases limited quantities of library wines.
Experience Napa Cabernet Royalty
If you appreciate the power and finesse of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly from historical sites, the 2009 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Fay Apologue" is a worthy addition to your collection.