Quixote Panza Cabernet (Stags Leap 2020)

96 - Wine Enthusiast

This tightly wound wine offers masses of black fruits strapped in by firm, sandy tannins that will need further time in the bottle to resolve and soften the texture. Black cherries, black currants, dark chocolate, graphite and cedar all chime in on the palate. The wine has the concentration to match the tannins. Best from 2028–2040. — Jim Gordon

THE VINTAGE
The 2020 season will be remembered for factors beyond the normal measurements. Here in the valley, it was a warm, dry winter and we didn't start to see rain and cold weather until the end of March. While the mild spring season gave us a great early start, the wineries of Napa Valley worked under extensive safety protocols due to the COVID pandemic. Summer brought very cool mornings and very warm days. While the red wine harvest will be smaller than usual, we were able to move forward with red wine vinification.

TASTING NOTES
Bright aromas of dark berries, ganache, cherries, pomegranate,
tobacco and cocoa permeate the glass. Soft but balanced
tannins lead to flavors of rhubarb, raspberry, mulberry, ganache,
and berry compote. It has a medium weightiness on the front
palate with a long, juicy finish.

TECHNICAL
WINEMAKERS: Robert Smith & Philippe Melka
BLEND: 99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.3% Petite
Verdot and 0.2% Malbec
AGING: Aged in 30% new French oak barrels for 15 months