Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I will sound like a broken record, but this is a Charles Hendricks made wine. As I have stated, in my opinion, a very underestimated Napa Cabernet Winemaker.

Patriarch is my second favorite Regusci red wine made by him. The first is Angelo’s.

I love Napa & Bordeaux history. This family were farmers before they made wine. The farmstead cart pictured is their homage to that family history. You’ll see it every late summer as you walk up to their tasting room. Definitely buy some of their homegrown vegetables when there.

The nose reveals a dark core of currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin aplenty, plum to pudding, black cherries, baked strawberries, baked blueberries and circular raspberries, dark chocolate to cake, baking spices-cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, dark spice, mocha, caramel, dry leather, oldish tobacco, graphite, crush rocks/limestone, dry top soil, dark, red, withering flowers, red roses framed in lavender & violets.

The palate entry is round, ripe, lush fruits with rounded, velvety M+ dryish tannins. There is, like the nose, a dark core of currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin aplenty, plum to pudding, black cherries, baked strawberries, baked blueberries and circular raspberries, dark chocolate to cake, mocha powder, caramel, baking spices-cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, pronounced dark spice, anise to black licorice, mocha, caramel, dry leather, oldish tobacco, graphite, crush rocks/limestone/sandstone, dry, grey volcanic clay, dry herbs, dry top soil, mint notes, dark, red, withering flowers, red roses framed in lavender & violets, beautiful, round acidity, still has nice, evolved tension/structure, excellent balance with a flowing, elegant finish that last two-minutes and long sets on clays, earth and spice.

A coravined bottle and relaid in storage from last weekend. Cork perfect with plenty of sediment. Will hold another 2-3 yrs and drink well an additional 5-6 yrs. — 6 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Decant and pour. On the nose: blackberry, forest floor, currants, herbaceous, smoked meat. Taste: velvety, balanced wine with brambly blackberry, earth, currants, spice, leather, graphite, and a medium plus dry finish. YUM! — 9 months ago

with Brenda

Neal Ferry

9.2

Extremely Nice… in all aspects — 5 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.5

Dark garnet colored with a slight brick colored meniscus on the edges. Dark fruit, cedar, black olives and leather on the nose. Bold tastes of black plums, figs, cherry cola, and licorice wrapped in silky tannins and perfect acidity. A great finish. Kudos to my friend Steve Reynolds for making such an unbelievably great wine. This wine is not showing any signs of letting up. A true heavyweight Cabernet at a great price. — 6 years ago

with Lisa

Michael Park

9.0

Huge, overpowering — 8 years ago

Mark Mannebach

9.2

2004 tasting great. Black currant with soft tones of mineral/earth/wet stone. — 9 years ago

Rich Friedland

9.3

Smooth and drinking well but curious to see what this is like in 25 years — 9 years ago

Richard Amos

9.5

Great Christmas wine. — 11 years ago

Heidi Brown

Culinary Liason The Restaurant at Meadowood

9.0

1984, the year the epic force which is @cmturley was brought upon the earth. Oh and this Chardonnay. — 12 years ago

with Julia, Christina and 5 others

Sándor Jaguar

8.9

Although stags is basic it is delicious — 6 months ago

with Sydne, Lynn and 22 others

Joe Flo

9.5

Delicious !!!🍷 — 7 months ago

Ericsson

9.1

Even the hands of time come to a halt. Now discontinued, this was a familiar and accessible goto bottle which rarely disappointed. This is one of their last vintages and nearing its peak drinkability… I’m gonna miss seeing this label at restaurant lists, shop shelves and impromptu gatherings 🙃 — 8 months ago

Vino Joe

8.9

Was hoping to like this but it was a solid if unmemorable CA Cab. Nothing much to say which is all I have to say…. — 4 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.3

The legendary John Williams and his team has put together a fantastic wine this vintage and as always a bargain considering the origin. Crafted as always in the classic style, yet no denying of its provenance. The 2017 Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon walks the talk with a luxury appeal, a fashion model in an haute couture dress.
Ripe fruit with soft edges but with plenty of energy and nerve. Cassis, black plums, red strawberries and floral minty lift backed by a sweet spice, graphite, tobacco, pine wood and dusty rocks.
Refreshing acidity, pronounced but approachable tannins that is balanced by a soft and fruity texture. Dense and concentrated flavor profile with a fresh spine that permeates the palate. Strong mid palate and an evolving complexity through a solid finish.

Rutherford
83% Cabernet Sauvignon accompanied by Cab Franc and Merlot.
13.8% 20mths French oak — 6 years ago

Michal Sulkowski

9.1

Crisp and snappy. No it’s not a cereal,. — 8 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.0

Amazing tropical fragrance — 9 years ago

Nick Davis

9.2

M+ acid, ripe tropical fruit, Mod alcohol, off-dry. Nice WA example. — 10 years ago

Miguel A. Nistal

9.0

I love Stags Leap and this one is crazy reasonable and so good. Cherry flavored, soft on pallet. Beautiful wine. — 11 years ago

with Miguel

Andrew Kitz

9.1

For a luxury Napa blue chip, it's always a really solid wine. At least it doesn't take on that wet dog smell like so many of the others. Talkin' hyper-expensive ones too. — 13 years ago

Paul J

9.1

PnP. Dark red, purple color. Dark fruit with ample oak. Deep, young wine. Lovely texture. — 6 months ago

with Manish and Brooke

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with splashes of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec all SLD estate fruit, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, oak and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and currants with tobacco and herb spice. Fine smooth tannins, approachable, long finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and herb mineral character. Nice! — 7 months ago

Bill Mowry

9.1

20 year old magnum and still has tannins. Mild white pepper with ripe sweet berries. Well balanced. — 8 months ago

with Cristian and Amelia

Carlos Gonzalez

9.5

If the wife likes it it inflates the score. #Naturally — 5 years ago

Andrew Keenan

8.9

2017 Vintage — 6 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.2

Dark Ruby. Lovely aromatics, violets, roses, flower garden that blossomed into a nice layered flavor trove of chocolate dipped cherry and toasted cinnamon stick. Perfect compliment to a NY Strip. — 8 years ago

Sean Herriott

9.0

Very primary at this point. Brooding even. Needs another five years to settle down, but for now there's an intriguing herbal note to pair with the rich dark fruit. Silverado is still a fantastic value play in Napa. — 8 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.3

Impressive from our Oregon trip last year! 2013 is cooler vintage and this wine had density and depth of volcanic minerality. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Very dry wine at this point, tannic, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cooked rhubarb, backing spice and lots of crushed rocks and minerals. — 10 years ago

Patrick Olds

9.7

It is drinking so well, I got for 10 bucks!! — 11 years ago

Michael Tobin

9.8

Purchased for the 30th! — 13 years ago