Three Stags A Leapin’
Stags Leap.
Stag’s Leap.
Stags’ Leap.
A tiny punctuation mark can make a big difference in the wine world. Here’s how an apostrophe sets these three Stags Leaps apart:
1. Stags Leap, no apostrophe, is a district in Napa Valley, California known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Some of the big names here: Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos du Val Wine Co., Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Stags’ Leap Winery, Inc.
2. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars...apostrophe before the “s”...is a legendary vineyard. Founded in 1970, they hit it out of the park, winning the 1976 Judgement of Paris–a blind wine tasting competition- in which the 1973 Stag’s Leap Napa Valley Cabernet took first place, beating all of the French reds. (Chateau Montelena’s Napa Valley Chardonnay also took the top spot among the white wines.) The French were not pleased to lose in both categories, and the two American wineries rocketed to super stardom.
If you’re interested in seeing what all the fuss is all about, Stag’s Leap SLV is the wine that won back in 1976. You can find the 2020 vintage online for about $200. The more affordable and readily available 2020 Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon costs $94.99 and gets 93/100 points from James Suckling.
3. Stags’ Leap Winery…apostrophe after the “s”...has been around a lot longer. The first grapes were planted on the property in 1872.
The winery was established in 1893. Stags' Leap ramped up its production in the 1970s, and in the 1980s, the two wineries actually went to court over their names. In 1986, the California Supreme Court ruled they could both keep them as long as they kept their apostrophes in place. This Stags’ Leap didn’t win the Judgement of Paris, but their wines are excellent. Their 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon runs about $56.99 and got 93/100 points from James Suckling.
Their Petite Syrah has developed a cult-like following The 2019 Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Petite Syrah is $50 and Suckling gave it 94/100 points.
You decide which to try!
