BY WINEMAKER FREDRIK JOHANSSON

2008 was a challenging yet rewarding year. The winter rains stopped completely after January and set us up for a long dry summer that was preceded by one of the worst frost seasons on record. The lack of rain and the intensity of the frost resulted in a growing season defined by vineyard stress, consistent though not excessive heat and heartbreakingly low yields yet our vineyard crew was able to deftly manage these conditions and provided us with small-berried fruit of great intensity and character.

An archetypal, old-world Sauvignon nose laden with classic aromas of cassis and black cherry redolent with violet-lifted black olives and green peppercorns rising out of an earthy bed of resonant loam and pure humus spiced by a tease of pimento, cedar and bay leaf cascades onto a rich and vibrant palate of anise highlighted blackcurrants and peppered plums speckled with shavings of dark chocolate and cocoa nibs energized by tingly notes of powdered minerals and a fresh acidity that also gives life and length to the well formed tannins.

A bit tight and closed when first opened, this wine rewards well with any decanting or bottle age it gets.

Release Date: October 1, 2010
Harvest Dates: September 12 - October 20
Barrel Aging: 22 months
Oak: 100% French: 92% new, 8% used
Blend: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Alcohol: 14.9%

Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, December 31, 2011
Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: 94 points
"It is one of the successes of the vintage, showing how a great winery rises over vintage limitations. Feels lush and dramatic in the mouth, with lush, smooth tannins housing classic Cabernet flavors of black currants, plums, green olives and dark chocolate, accented with spicy, smoky oak. Should develop in the bottle over at least six years, and could be one of those sleepers that surprises in 20."

Charles Olken, Connoisseurs' Guide, December 28, 2011:
Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon 2008: One of TOP TEN WINES for 2011
"Purists will argue that this wine cannot be treated like royalty because it is too ripe. I say, 'Nonsense.' Taste the wine, not the label statement, and discover one of the most pure statements of West Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon available anywhere."

Charles Olken, Connoisseurs' Guide, December, 2011
Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2008: 96 points
"The argument that wines with high ripeness lose their varietal and place-driven character is undone by Staglin year in and year out with its keenly focused aromas and flavors of currant, loam and cola augmented but never dominated by the carmelly richness of fancy oak barrels. Full on the palate, supple and somewhat fleshy, the wine is impeccably balanced and very polished at first glance. Yet, that polish only serves to sequester the solid layer of tannin that sits in the background and will keep things in fine fettle for a decade."

James Laube, Wine Spectator Insider, August 31, 2011
Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2008: 94 points
"This gorgeous, enticing, richly flavored wine is remarkable for its understated elegance and finesse, with subtle touches of green and black olive, dried currant, sage, cedar and dusty, loamy earth. Wows you with delicacy. Very typical of Rutherford. Drink now through 2022."