2003 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District
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Tasting through Chimney Rock’s three offerings, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap (14.1% natural alcohol) exhibits the elegance and finesse one expects from the southern end of Napa Valley. It offers notes of black currants and plum sauce, medium body and a soft, fruity, reasonably well-endowed style. Made to appeal to many consumers, it is not the biggest, richest nor most polite, reserved, understated effort. I like it for its elegance and finesse. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. Tel. (847) 604-8900
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Robert Parker
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
2003 was the coolest of that decade, and Stags Leap was even cooler than the rest of Napa. A wet spring (which Vianna says she hates the most). They tried to take water from the soil by using aggressive cover crops. The wines are slightly light and bigger berried. She sees soy and dried herbs. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Each variety was fermented separately in stainless steel. Aged for 18 months in 50% new and 50% used French oak. Bottled 1 June 2005. Touch of brick at the rim. Quite refined, not powerful, on the nose. A hint of gamey leather notes and goji berries and autumn leaves. Lovely dried tobacco leaf coming through on both the palate and the nose. Very easy to drink, gentle tannins, with a savoury light imprint on the tongue. Certainly doesn’t advertise its presence. Fading a little. (TC)