2010 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Saturated bright ruby to the rim. Musky, complex nose combines cassis, mocha, minerals, graphite and Rutherford dust, all lifted by a subtle floral nuance. Suave, rich and seamless in the mouth, showing surprising lift to its red and black fruit, spice, cocoa powder and mineral flavors. Lovely harmonious acidity gives this wine a light touch and carries the fruit through a suavely tannic, palate-staining, vibrant finish. I found this dense but delineated wine drinkable virtually from the outset owing to its noble tannins but it is evolving slowly and should still give great pleasure for another decade or more. Long on personality, and an outstanding example of its vintage.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The sucrosity and richness of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate are prodigious. This dense purple-colored offering from the famous Rutherford AVA exhibits copious red and black fruits (especially blackberries and dark jammy cherries), an intense mouthfeel and full body, but no heaviness or astringency. There is plenty of structure, the wood is pushed to the background, and the finish lasts 40-45 seconds. This beauty is one of Staglin’s finest wines to date. It should provide plenty of pleasure over the next two decades. It is good to see the Staglins exploit the well-known Bella Oaks Vineyard made famous by Joe Heitz. www.staglinfamily.com
(14.9% alcohol): Saturated bright medium ruby. Ripe, expressive nose combines blackberry, cassis, mocha, minerals, licorice, sexy oak tones and Rutherford dust. Plush, sweet and fine-grained, with firm underlying minerality giving class and clarity to the dark fruit flavors. Wonderfully silky, concentrated cabernet with a very long, building finish featuring noble tannins and noteworthy energy. It's possible to enjoy this now owing to its lush texture and sweetness but this knockout cabernet should also age gracefully.
The estate's 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with juicy red berries, tar, asphalt, licorice, mint and violets. The 2010 is a little cooler, racier and yet more reticent than the 2009, but that is very much in the style of the year. Firm yet well-integrated tannins frame the finish. Hints of mocha, blueberry jam and cloves resonate on the powerful, structured, saline-infused finish. The 2010 is sexy, explosive and striking, but it needs time. With a little air, the wine becomes more delicate and refined. There is a level of nuance and pure class in the 2010 that elevates it to one of the finest and most promising wines of the vintage.