This was the first vintage of Cask 23, so named by Andre Tchelistcheff after he found a particularly good barrel (no. 23) from Stag’s Leap Vineyard and decided to bottle it separately. The vines are four years old (winemaker Marcus Notaro says, “The reality is, young wines make exciting wines”). Gorgeous perfumed nose, slightly rotted, hint of river mud combined thrillingly with warm, sweet forest floor and old armoire. The palate getting really porty, but there’s a tobacco-y freshness as well, the acidity adds freshness, the tannins are brisk and there’s lots of juice at the end. Very fine old age, classic example of how great Napa ages, drink now or keep for a couple of years. There are about five cases left at the winery.