2018 Staglin Family Vineyard Salus Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Staglin Family Vineyard Salus Cabernet Sauvignon

The poised 2018 Salus Cabernet Sauvignon feels like a modern portrait of yesteryear’s traditions. Well-composed flavors of cassis and boysenberry redolent with raspberry liqueur, milled spices and subtle earth flow seamlessly into a balanced midpalate full of finely crafted detail. Filigreed tannins produce a delightfully delicate and textured wine with a finessed and silky structure that is drinking well right out of the gate yet hints at layers yet to be fully revealed. Poised with depth, style, and staying power.

Staglin is one of the great blue chip properties of Napa. On the exclusive Belle Oaks Lane in Ruhtherford. Many believe and I agree that these are some of the pre-eminent Cabs coming out of Rutherford, one of the true great Napa Cabs that has proven itself in the cellar and the tasting room. Staglin has been on the top of their game for decades now. What impresses me most about Staglin is the number of top Napa Cab winemakers that have recognized the quality of a Staglin Cabernet, made wine there, have gone on to huge stardom and at the top of their resume’s is the fact that they made Staglin Cabernet. The list is the who’s who of Napa Cab rock stars: Luc Morlet who makes some of the finest under the Morlet label and 98pts Parker, Michel Rolland the international maestro, Andy Erickson of Screaming Eagle fame and Celia Welch the Queen of Napa making Scarecrow, Keever, Barb  our and my favorite Corra on Pritchard Hill. Staglin Cabernet is found in the finest Cellars and Restaurant wine lists and is at the peak of quality. Today the wines are made by the extremely capable hands of Fredrik Johansson who has done an exceptional job with the wines new releases. Vineyard manager is the superb David Abreu and all under the watchful eye of Michel Rolland. I have secured a great price on 2018 Staglin Salus Cabernet, the wine regularly sells for over $100 a bottle (I see prices online of $179.99 for this wine). We have it down to $114.99 while supplies last  2018 is a great vintage (96pt Parker Rated Vintage) for Napa Cab and the vintage has been sold out for some time now.