2002 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fay

Community Tasting Notes (35) Avg Score: 91 points

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  8/5/2022 - RPHC Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Epic and memorable! This was purchased directly from the winery upon release almost two decades ago on my last of many trips to Napa/Sonoma. Although it was meticulously stored and under strict temperature control for much of its cellaring, it has also spent some years at room temperature and suffered through a few moves. As I peeled away the foil, I was definitely relieved in seeing the fill level at an outstanding 1.2 cm below cork and wine creep only about 1 cm up the cork. Medium garnet color. Aromas of stewed fruit, gravel and mild violets were jumping out of the glass almost immediately. Scents started moving away from fruit and towards earthy, dusty and minerally within 30 minutes at which point I started tasting. More aromatic complexity and some licorice and anise after one hour plus. Palate displays cherry compote, cinnamon, pepper, and baking spices. Mouthfeel is surprisingly elegant and refined; luxurious and almost delicate. Medium finish, and there is a lingering sour cherry plus cinnamon trail that lingers for quite some time. This wine definitely beat expectations over time, but it was nice when tasted young as well. *Stag's Leap Wine Cellars founded in 1970; first vintage in 1972. *Winery put on global map after winning "Judgement of Paris" in 1976.

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  12/27/2021 - Kozakofthewest Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Excellent balance went seamless with aged ribeye

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  5/16/2020 - fredshouse Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Drank this bottle over a couple of weeks, stored in fridge between glasses. Surprisingly it was at its best toward the end. Nice deep claret color, just a hint of brick. Rich nose of fruit and spices. The first few days, it had a bit of sharpness that overshadowed the flavor, but at the last it was smooth, mellowed, still lush with fruit, a solid base of minerality. Pretty clearly running out of steam, but happy we stuck with this older soldier.

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  8/13/2017 - Mnawacki Likes this wine: 93 Points

  OMG, wow! Did not expect this to be so good based on age and other comments on CT. But this Fay was spectacular and showed off elegance and style in spite of its age...on opening and initial pour dark plum fruit, then followed by a complex nose of dark fruit compote, black tea, coffee and leather. Tannins so soft and lush, beautifully coat the palate. Incredible balance, but so many secondary notes emerging, minute long finish. Simply wow, just gorgeous.

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  10/6/2016 - Jb wineguy wrote:

  Lost flavor

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