Lot 32 is sourced from an estate winery in the northern reaches of Stags Leap just off the Silverado Trail — state-of-the-art facility, 80% new French oak, and a well over $100/bottle price point, the same producer as Lot 9. Claude’s source guess is Cliff Lede Vineyards. See also: Lot 09, Lot 79.
Lot Overview
- Region: 99% Stags Leap District, 1% Oakville (northern corner, off Silverado Trail)
- Vintage: 2023
- Varietal: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
- Oak Aging: ~80% new French oak
- Alcohol: 14.6%
- Cases Available: 200
- Cam Price: ~$16.50/bottle ($199/case)
- Retail Estimate: $100–125/bottle
- Claude’s Source Guess: Cliff Lede Vineyards — Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon
- Wine Berserkers Guess: Cliff Lede Vineyards
- Drink Window: 2027–2042 (peak 2030–2038)
Cameron’s Release Notes
Dear Friends,
I have just had the most extraordinary meeting with my winemaker Katie. We tasted through a number of new wines and blends coming in and…well…let’s just say it’s gonna be a great Fall!
The cream of the crop today was undoubtedly Lot 32 2023 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from an estate vineyard and winery in the northern reaches of the Stags Leap appellation just off the Silverado Trail, this is a no-expense-spared production including a state-of-the-art winery, ~80% new French oak and a well-over $100/bottle price point.
And did I mention the wine is absolutely stunning?
Tight NDA, can’t say much more. Fairly confident this is their final bottling blend.
Only 200 cases available at the incredibly low price of $199/case DELIVERED.
Tasting Notes
Sourced from an estate vineyard and winery in the northern reaches of the Stags Leap appellation just off the Silverado Trail, this is a no-expense-spared production including a state-of-the-art winery, ~80% new French oak and a well-over $100/bottle price point.
Tight NDA, can’t say much more. Fairly confident this is their final bottling blend.
Deep ruby, almost opaque with a hint of purple around the rim. Gorgeous bouquet explodes out of the glass with juicy blackberry, black cherry, graphite, cedar and a kiss of chocolate/espresso. Elegant yet powerful – classic iron fist velvet glove Stags Leap Cab – this wine features a fleshy, ripe mid-palate structure supporting a sumptuous array of black and red fruits that unfurl in resounding waves in a long, persistent finish supported on graphite and mineral-laced tannins with a kiss of cocoa powder. Beautifully integrated and perfectly saturated with tremendous finesse throughout, this is a spectacular wine at any price, let alone $199/case delivered!
⏳ Bottle Shock Status: Just bottled August 28th. Allow minimum 12–18 months.
Claude’s Source Guess: Cliff Lede Vineyards — Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon
Cliff Lede’s estate sits in the northern corner of the Stags Leap District directly on the Silverado Trail — matching Cam’s “northern reaches of Stags Leap just off the Silverado Trail” with geographic precision. Their 25,000 square foot gravity-flow winery and cave system, completed in 2005 and designed by Howard Backen, is one of Napa’s most celebrated “state-of-the-art” facilities — exactly the descriptor Cam uses. Their Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon retails at $100–125, fitting Cam’s “well over $100/bottle” tier, while their flagship Poetry Cab is $175+.
Cliff Lede is also the identified source for Lot 9 (their inaugural High Fidelity Carneros Chardonnay), confirming an established supply relationship with Cam across multiple programs. The 91% Cab/6% PV/3% CF blend composition is consistent with Cliff Lede’s known Stags Leap District blend profile. The tight NDA is typical for Cliff Lede’s négociant arrangements.
✅ Confidence: High — “northern corner of Stags Leap on the Silverado Trail” is precise geographic match, state-of-the-art winery confirmed, $100–125 price tier confirmed, and Cliff Lede already identified as CAM X source in Lot 9.
Drink Window
Early: 2027 — 14.6% alc and 80% new oak need 2–3 years minimum.
Peak: 2030–2038. Stags Leap District Cab at this quality tier typically peaks 7–15 years from vintage.
Hold: 2042. The structure and pedigree support nearly two decades.
My Call: ⏳ Drink window: 2027–2042 (peak 2030–2038)