Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Fay Golden Rectangle Napa Valley Red Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot
Napa Valley, California, USA
Prior notes still apply, but this bottle was much more on point than the last 14mo ago. I'd suggest this still has at least 8-10y to go from proper storage!
Nose has old cedar closet, dusty cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, burnt blackberry pie, over-ripe black cherry, volcanic rocks and over-ripe blueberry.
Palate has ripe blackberry, warmed plum, dark chocolate bar, prune, dried blackberry, semi-dried cranberry, cigar box and tanned leather. Tannins are light, but still proof of youthfulness!
Paired alongside medium rare Delmonico cut steaks from our favorite local farm, Kinderhook Farm (Valatie NY). Perfection.
6h decant, more time appreciated. Last bottle. 😢
Added to cellar inventory around April 2006; We obtained this as members of the Wine Club.
Release notes from SLWC courtesy of @Yen Boubel (She's the greatest!)
CREATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CLUB 23 members, the Golden Rectangle is a harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the FAY vineyard. The name "Golden Rectangle" refers to our winemaking philosophy inspired by the Golden Mean, the principle that contrary elements, balanced in the right proportion, create tense harmony.
In this select bottling, the opposing elements include two different varietals from two different vintages. The wine is a blend of 61.8% FAY Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, and 38.2% FAY Petit Verdot fruit in the proportion of the Golden Mean. Petit Verdot is a Bordeaux blending varietal typically used in very small amounts because of its power and structure. This blend of Petit Verdot might seem unusually high; however, because of the ideal proportion of these different elements, the Petit Verdot adds structure, aromatics, and texture, rather than overpowering the Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition, the blend combines the old and the new-with fruit in roughly equal proportion from the 2002 and 2003 vintages. In this combination, the mellow tones of the older vintage soften the robust character of the younger vintage. The result is an opulent blend, rich with fruit, spices, and exotic perfume.
Prior notes still apply, but this bottle was much more on point than the last 14mo ago. I'd suggest this still has at least 8-10y to go from proper storage!
Nose has old cedar closet, dusty cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, burnt blackberry pie, over-ripe black cherry, volcanic rocks and over-ripe blueberry.
Palate has ripe blackberry, warmed plum, dark chocolate bar, prune, dried blackberry, semi-dried cranberry, cigar box and tanned leather. Tannins are light, but still proof of youthfulness!
Paired alongside medium rare Delmonico cut steaks from our favorite local farm, Kinderhook Farm (Valatie NY). Perfection.
6h decant, more time appreciated. Last bottle. 😢
Added to cellar inventory around April 2006; We obtained this as members of the Wine Club.
Release notes from SLWC courtesy of @Yen Boubel (She's the greatest!)
CREATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CLUB 23 members, the Golden Rectangle is a harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the FAY vineyard. The name "Golden Rectangle" refers to our winemaking philosophy inspired by the Golden Mean, the principle that contrary elements, balanced in the right proportion, create tense harmony.
In this select bottling, the opposing elements include two different varietals from two different vintages. The wine is a blend of 61.8% FAY Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, and 38.2% FAY Petit Verdot fruit in the proportion of the Golden Mean. Petit Verdot is a Bordeaux blending varietal typically used in very small amounts because of its power and structure. This blend of Petit Verdot might seem unusually high; however, because of the ideal proportion of these different elements, the Petit Verdot adds structure, aromatics, and texture, rather than overpowering the Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition, the blend combines the old and the new-with fruit in roughly equal proportion from the 2002 and 2003 vintages. In this combination, the mellow tones of the older vintage soften the robust character of the younger vintage. The result is an opulent blend, rich with fruit, spices, and exotic perfume.
We recently pulled some cases out of storage, which haven't seen the light of day for nearly 15 years, so I'll have some fun posts in the next several months.
Nose has dusty cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, burnt blackberry pie, over-ripe black cherry, volcanic rocks and over-ripe blueberry.
Palate has ripe blackberry, warmed plum, dark chocolate bar, prune, dried blackberry, semi-dried cranberry, cigar box and tanned leather. Tannins mostly resolved, but slight grip remaining.
5 hours decant, more time appreciated.
Added to cellar inventory 16 April 2006.
This is a NV blend, assumed based around wines from ~2000-2004 possibly, I just do not know. There is no lot/julian code on the bottle or label. If anyone knows the vintages based on the blend (61.8% Cabernet Sauvignon & 38.2% Petit Verdot) or case production (354), please leave a comment, as I'd love to know. We obtained this as members of their Wine Club, many years ago. I know that SLWC has produced this bottle in both non-vintage and vintage formats.
SLWC Back Label Notes:
"The golden rectangle refers to a mathematical relationship, first defined by Euclid around 300 B.C., which results in a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing proportion. This wine is a precise blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, resulting in the balance and subtle beauty embodied in the principle of the Golden Rectangle. The suppleness, silken tannins and voluptuous perfume typical of FAY fruit are clearly evident, while 23 months aging in French oak has added complexity and texture. Only 354 cases were produced."
We recently pulled some cases out of storage, which haven't seen the light of day for nearly 15 years, so I'll have some fun posts in the next several months.
Nose has dusty cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, burnt blackberry pie, over-ripe black cherry, volcanic rocks and over-ripe blueberry.
Palate has ripe blackberry, warmed plum, dark chocolate bar, prune, dried blackberry, semi-dried cranberry, cigar box and tanned leather. Tannins mostly resolved, but slight grip remaining.
5 hours decant, more time appreciated.
Added to cellar inventory 16 April 2006.
This is a NV blend, assumed based around wines from ~2000-2004 possibly, I just do not know. There is no lot/julian code on the bottle or label. If anyone knows the vintages based on the blend (61.8% Cabernet Sauvignon & 38.2% Petit Verdot) or case production (354), please leave a comment, as I'd love to know. We obtained this as members of their Wine Club, many years ago. I know that SLWC has produced this bottle in both non-vintage and vintage formats.
SLWC Back Label Notes:
"The golden rectangle refers to a mathematical relationship, first defined by Euclid around 300 B.C., which results in a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing proportion. This wine is a precise blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, resulting in the balance and subtle beauty embodied in the principle of the Golden Rectangle. The suppleness, silken tannins and voluptuous perfume typical of FAY fruit are clearly evident, while 23 months aging in French oak has added complexity and texture. Only 354 cases were produced."
Beautiful dark purple color with long legs. Subtle nose of dark fruits and cherry. Medium bodied tannins and hint of SLV minerals on near perfectly balanced palate. Finish is wonderful. Great bottle of wine. Cab and Petit Verdot blend. Not sure why Delectable is calling it Merlot.
Beautiful dark purple color with long legs. Subtle nose of dark fruits and cherry. Medium bodied tannins and hint of SLV minerals on near perfectly balanced palate. Finish is wonderful. Great bottle of wine. Cab and Petit Verdot blend. Not sure why Delectable is calling it Merlot.
Dec 31st, 2017
