Stags Leap Artemis 2021. Dark fruit, oak, cedar and wet earth on the nose. Incredibly smooth tannins, notes of cherry, vanilla and some peaty smoke on the finish. Been avoiding Napa because of the cost but I’m seeking advice on what’s the next Napa cab I should try. I know 2021 is probably very early but unfortunately I have limited access to older vintages.
by Lump-of-baryons
6 Comments
Isn’t 2021 Artemis bad because it’s the first vintage to ever use bought grapes?
Heitz
I personally like Trefethen vineyards
Would love to see a post about a Napa cab without someone regurgitating the same tired talking point of how it’s all overpriced, bad QPR, or not being their “style.”
Really r/wine, we get it.
For OP, I would recommend K&L, WineBid, or other auctions for older vintages. The top names will go for a lot, but there are plenty of values to be had for 5-10+ year old Napa wines. Many even for (sometimes considerably) less than what they sold for initially.
Stag’s Leap included.
There are some amazing Napa bottles out there for less than this that really show the style imo- the lowest possible version of that might be Black Stallion, which really feels like true Napa to me around $30 (their higher-tier bottles are also stellar imo). When you can still find it for $50 ish or lower, Mount Veeder Winery is also a real standout. The Chappellet Mountain Cuveé also really punches above its weight. Even the other Stags, Stags’ Leap Winery, makes a very respectable, more precise and classic style cab for less than artemis- but it’s their cuveé called “The Leap” (only barely more expensive than Artemis) that really stands out for me.
I enjoy Artemis, but I don’t think it’s one of the best ones out there for the price. A handful of others at the same price point that I think are more interesting: Sinegal, Chappellet Signature, Adaptation (Odette), Cliff Lede, Heitz, Keenan, Spottswoode Lyndenhurst, Ghost Block…if you want to really try a more old school rendition, try Frog’s Leap or Togni Tanbark Hill…and for around $20-$30 more I highly recommend Dunn Napa Cuveé, and Mt. Brave. If you want to make the jump to around $130, try Paul Hobbs and Staglin Salus.
I personally prefer the other Stags’ Leap. They have a petit syrah that’s really good (just noticed you asked about cab. They do also have a cab)