The 2018 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is a well-regarded wine from the Napa appellation in California's North Coast region. This vintage is a red wine composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec, sourced from several notable sites across the valley including Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville and Rancho Chimiles in Wooden Valley.
The wine has garnered a variety of positive reviews from professional critics. James Suckling highlights its "chewy red with blackberry, blackcurrant and dark-chocolate character," awarding it a score of 93 and noting its full-bodied nature and polished tannins. He recommends it for both immediate enjoyment and aging. Decanter echoes this sentiment, giving it a score of 92, and describing it as "fragrant on the nose with dark fruit aromas and notes of cream and vanilla," while also remarking on its fresh and concentrated palate.
Jeb Dunnuck provides a balanced perspective with a score of 90, emphasizing its "elegant texture" and suitability for those who appreciate a more refined Napa Cabernet. He notes its "present tannins and plenty of length on the finish," while suggesting it will benefit from additional bottle age. Similarly, Vinous describes the Artemis as "open-knit and silky" with layers of "crushed flowers, hints of spice, leather, cedar and tobacco," also giving it a 92.
Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator both rate it 91, with the former appreciating its dense aromas of red fruit, caramel, and brioche, and the latter noting its well-built structure with a focused core of red and black currant fruit.
In summary, the 2018 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is celebrated for its elegance, aromatic complexity, and aging potential, making it a notable choice for both immediate enjoyment and cellaring.