Stags Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 375ML

Stags Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 375ML is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a half-bottle format. The 2021 vintage earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, and multiple recent vintages have scored 93 points from James Suckling, establishing Artemis as one of the most consistently acclaimed Napa Cabernets in its tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Style: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Production & Heritage

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars rose to global fame after its 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon triumphed at the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris, forever altering the world's perception of California wine. Artemis, named for the Greek goddess of the hunt, draws fruit from a carefully curated set of Napa vineyards — roughly 51% from the Atlas Peak District and 14% from the Battuello Vineyard in St. Helena, among other premium sites. The blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon with small additions of Cabernet Franc (1%), Malbec (0.5%), and Merlot (0.5%) is aged for 15 months in French oak barrels — 33% new, 67% older — yielding structure without overwhelming the fruit. In warmer vintages, the winemaking team shifts sourcing toward cooler, higher-elevation sites to preserve freshness and balance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark chocolate, black cherries, and cassis announce themselves immediately, followed by espresso and a subtle floral lift of violets. Given time in the glass, more nuanced layers of nutmeg, thyme, and truffle emerge.

Taste: The entry is generous with boysenberry and plum, moving into a mid-palate of spiced cocoa, vanilla bean, and brambleberry. Fine-grained tannins carry these flavors across a well-structured frame, while persistent acidity keeps everything taut and mouthwatering. Notes of new leather, tobacco, and graphite add savory depth toward the peak.

Finish: Long, layered, and polished, with lingering oak spice and dark fruit that fade slowly. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean impression of cassis and subtle mocha.

How to Drink Artemis Cabernet

Artemis rewards patient sipping — pour it into a large-bowled glass and let it breathe for 20 to 30 minutes to fully open the aromatic layers. Serving at a cool room temperature of around 62–65°F is ideal. For cocktail-inclined drinkers, its dark fruit concentration and firm tannins translate well in a Cabernet Sangria built with blackberries and a cinnamon stick, a New York Sour variation using a float of Artemis for tannic complexity, or a wine-forward Kalimotxo — the cola's sweetness plays surprisingly well against the wine's cocoa and espresso tones.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Napa Valley Cabernet without the ultra-premium price tag
• Tasting alongside a weeknight steak dinner without committing to a full 750ml bottle
• Building a personal cellar with half-bottles that age gracefully in limited space
• Bringing a thoughtful bottle to an intimate dinner party for two

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Artemis Cabernet taste like? Artemis leads with generous dark fruit — black cherry, boysenberry, and cassis — layered with spiced cocoa, vanilla bean, and savory notes of tobacco and graphite. The tannins are fine-grained and polished, and the finish is long with a mocha-laced undertone.

How does Artemis compare to Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are benchmark Napa Cabernets at a similar quality level, but Artemis leans toward darker, more espresso- and cocoa-driven flavors with pronounced structure from Atlas Peak fruit. Duckhorn tends to emphasize a broader, rounder dark-fruit profile with velvety tannins and less overt oak spice.

Is Artemis good for sipping neat? Absolutely — Artemis is built for drinking on its own, with enough complexity in its aromatics and layered tannins to sustain interest through the entire glass. A brief decant or 20–30 minutes of air sharpens its nuance considerably.

Where is Artemis Cabernet made? Artemis is produced by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in the Napa Valley, California. The fruit is sourced primarily from the Atlas Peak District and the Battuello Vineyard in St. Helena, along with other select Napa Valley sites.

What foods pair well with Artemis Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak matches the wine's tannic backbone and dark-fruit intensity. Braised short ribs complement its cocoa and spice layers. Aged Gouda or Gruyère echo its nutty, savory undertones. Roasted lamb with rosemary aligns with the herbal, thyme-like aromatics. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the wine's mocha and espresso finish.

What sizes does Artemis Cabernet come in? Artemis is available in a standard 750ml bottle and the 375ml half-bottle format featured here, which is ideal for smaller occasions or for sampling the wine before committing to a full bottle.

Is Artemis Cabernet worth the price? Artemis positions as a premium Napa Valley Cabernet that consistently scores 91–93 points from major critics, placing it among the strongest values in its category. It delivers complexity and aging potential that often rival wines at a higher price tier, making it a smart entry point into Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' portfolio.

Why Artemis Cabernet?

What separates Artemis from the crowded field of Napa Cabernets is the specificity of its sourcing — blending high-elevation Atlas Peak fruit with valley-floor selections to achieve a balance of power and finesse that few wines at this level manage. Its track record of 93-point scores from both Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling across multiple recent vintages speaks to consistency, not just a single lucky harvest. The 15-month French oak program, weighted heavily toward seasoned barrels, integrates structure without masking the fruit. For anyone looking for a half-bottle of serious Napa Cabernet backed by one of the most storied names in California wine, Artemis makes a compelling case on its own merits.