Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is the Napa Valley Cabernet that showcases the potential of combining the valley's finest parcels into a single wine. Named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis symbolizes the "hunt" for the finest Cabernet from across Napa, complemented by grapes grown in Stag's Leap District. What exactly is Artemis 2021? It's a powerful yet elegant Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with the signature of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, crafted for enthusiasts seeking a combination of classic structure and rich, modern fruit intensity. Since its victory at the Judgment of Paris in 1976, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has been a Napa icon, and with Artemis, head winemaker Marcus Notaro demonstrates how high the bar is for the "Napa Valley tier."

Vineyards and region

Artemis 2021 hails from the United States , from California , and from Napa Valley. The grapes come from a mosaic of prime locations in the valley, with high-elevation and cooler plots playing a significant role. This vintage's blend includes fruit from Atlas Peak District, Battuello Vineyard in St. Helena, Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville, and Twin Creeks Vineyard in Wooden Valley, supplemented by a portion of grapes from Stags Leap District itself. Each provenance contributes: Atlas Peak brings concentration and structure, St. Helena provides ripe, dark fruit, Coombsville offers cooler notes and fresh acidity, and Wooden Valley contributes aromatic lift. The small berries and loose clusters of 2021, a result of drought and challenging flowering conditions, yielded grapes with abundant flavor concentration and pronounced yet ripe tannins. The summer saw classic Napa Valley weather with warm days and cool breezes from the Bay, followed by a brief heat wave in September and then a long period of ideal harvest weather, allowing each field to be picked at the perfect ripeness.

Vinification and maturation

The harvest for Artemis 2021 took place between September 9th and October 19th. Each plot is harvested and fermented separately, allowing Marcus Notaro and his team to make a precise selection for the final blend. The grapes undergo classic red vinification in stainless steel tanks, with sufficient skin contact to develop color, depth of aroma, and structure. Malolactic fermentation is complete, softening the texture and rounding the mouthfeel. The wine is then aged for 15 months in French oak barriques , 55% new and 45% used, so that the wood supports rather than dominates. Before bottling, Artemis is only lightly filtered to preserve its natural structure and layering. With 14.8% alcohol, a pH of 3.82, and a total acidity of 0.52g per 100ml, this vintage possesses both power and sufficient freshness for long-lasting development.

Grape composition

Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley
Approximately 98% of Artemis 2021 is Cabernet Sauvignon from the various selected vineyards, which provide the core of dark fruit, cassis, structure and the long, firm yet polished tannins.

Cabernet Franc – Napa Valley
Around 1% Cabernet Franc adds extra aromatic complexity in the form of fine spiciness and a hint of leafy herbs, giving the nose more depth.

Malbec – Napa Valley
About 0.5% Malbec brings extra colour, a round texture and a hint of plum and dark berry to the flavour palette.

Merlot – Napa Valley
About 0.5% Merlot rounds out the whole with a softer attack and a subtle red fruit note, which gives the blend that little bit more suppleness.

Tasting notes and serving suggestions

In the glass, Artemis 2021 is a deep dark purple with an almost opaque core. On the nose, the wine opens with inviting aromas of boysenberry, plum, and blackcurrant, complemented by notes of chocolate and baking spices. With aeration, layers of mocha, a hint of thyme, and a subtle hint of graphite emerge. On the palate, the wine has a rich, creamy entry that flows into a fresh and full mid-palate with abundant dark fruit. The tannins are prominent yet beautifully integrated and feel full and soft, creating a structure both firm and refined. The finish is long, fruity, and spicy, with a lingering impression of dark chocolate and spices. Ideally, serve Artemis 2021 at 16-18°C (60-64°F) and decant young bottles for an hour to allow the bouquet to fully unfold. At the table, this Cabernet is best paired with grilled tri-tip or sirloin steak, slow-braised short ribs, or pasta with wild mushrooms and prosciutto, where its powerful yet elegant character perfectly complements.

Awards

• 2021 – 94 p (Decanter)

• 2021 – 93p (James Suckling)

• 2021 – 92 p (The Wine Advocate)