2016 Steltzner Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Steltzner's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District) emerges from the Pool Block, which is planted with Clone 337 Cabernet. Bright, floral and nuanced, with terrific brightness, the 2016 is a gorgeous wine. Red and purplish berry fruit graces a mid-weight, Stags Leap Cabernet that shows all the refinement of Clone 337. Silky tannins add to the wine's total finesse. The 2016 is not a blockbuster or an inky Stags Leap Cabernet, but instead emphasizes finesse and understatement. All of the lots were fermented in barrel.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Steltzner's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a big step up from the 2016. Blueberry jam, cloves, lavender, mint and crème de cassis are front and center. Silky and nuanced, with tons of depth and character, the 2016 is shaping up to be a real gem. This is a decidedly mid-weight Stags Leap Cabernet built on grace more than just power. An increase in barrel-fermented lots seems to be a positive here.
Like the 2015, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon includes 10-12 Petit Verdot and was brought up in 65-75% new French oak. It sports a vibrant purple color as well as terrific notes of blueberries, cassis, toasty oak and crushed flowers. It's ripe, nicely concentrated and balanced, and it shows the exuberant, pure, pretty style of the vintage. It's going to keep nicely for two decades.