When the debut 2004 vintage of this amazing Cab was released, we rapturously ordered as much of the 200 cases as we could, and did our best to tell the whole world how good it was... and is! Every year this continues to be one of our favorite Cabernets, and with good reason. Made by one of Napa Valley’s stars, Dave Phinney (Orin Swift, Aftermath), whom we already know is quite capable, Dave consistently takes this Stags Leap Cabernet and turns out a deep, dark wine with velvety black fruit and ample structure.
Not all the praise should go to Dave, however, for if it weren’t for a remarkably harrowing experience turned happy ending, this wine would not be available for (semi) wide-spread enjoyment. In a nutshell, Darryl Browman (co-owner of Cavus) and two buddies went to Argentina to ski and to wine taste. After getting lost just outside of ski boundaries, the sun went down and so did the temperature. To survive the night, the three men dug a snow cave barely large enough for their bodies to fit in and, fortunately, plenty small enough to enable body heat to sustain life. If it weren’t for an extreme skiing film crew on the backside of the mountain noticing something a bit out of place amidst the pristine snowfall, these gentlemen may have never been found. So, in celebration of life, with great thanks to the snow cave (cavus), friendships and wine tasting continue with much appreciation.
