1993 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23

The outstanding 1993 Cask 23 Proprietary Red Wine exhibits a dark ruby/garnet color, sweet, coffee, chocolate, cherry-like aromas, medium to full body, an alluring sweetness on the attack, but dry tannin in the finish. This effort possesses more expansiveness and richness, but the wine is well-below the profound Cask 23's made in 1992, 1991, 1990, 1985, 1978, and 1974. I have been a consistent fan of previous vintages of these red wines, and I have noted in these pages the progress being made with the whites. However, it appears a different stylistic direction has been implemented. This is especially apparent in 1995 and 1994, and to a lesser extent in 1993. Lamentably, the wines come across as more narrowly focused and compact on the palate, and because of that, they give the impression of having less intensity, flesh, and richness. I hope my judgments are proven incorrect. Tel. (707) 944-2020; Fax (707) 257-7501