Aromas of ripe blackcurrants, blackberries, licorice, cloves and tobacco. Hints of crushed stones and nut shells, too. Firm and chewy with full body and layers of fine, velvety tannins. Compact and muscular with an array of spiced, mellow fruit and a chocolatey finish. Needs some time to soften more. Try after 2024.

(94+ points) The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon The Leap is blended of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it starts off a little closed and broody, giving way to notes of plum preserves, blackcurrant cordial and chocolate-covered cherries, plus hints of unsmoked cigars and black truffles. Medium-bodied, elegant and refreshing, it has lots of tightly wound black fruit and earthy layers with a firm, fine-grained frame and long mineral-laced finish.- LPB

Christophe Paubert tends 85 acres of vines directly under the Stags’ Leap escarpment, selecting this wine from lots he finds to be the most expressive of the site. This vintage has the particular kind of stinky reduction of a wine grown in rocky volcanic soils, opening with air to boysenberry flavors, forest blueberry and violet notes, The reduction points up the wine’s energy even as it grows more elastic, driving through hard tannins to last on a long, savory fruit finish. —J.G. (W&S 10/21)