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2019 Stags' Leap Ne Cede Malis Estate Grown Stags Leap District Petite Sirah
Tasting Notes
Offering a distinctive wine each vintage, the 2019 Ne Cede Malis is nuanced and intriguing with layers of dark berry fruit and exotic spice. The wine unfolds with ripe brambleberry fruit, black cherry, blueberry, and cassis, while savory chaparral herb notes of fresh mint, wild violet, and bay laurel sit alongside earthier notes of crushed stone and black pepper spice. This single field-block blend is exemplary of this remarkable vineyard, showing a multilayered full-bodied texture with velvety-rich tannins and mouth-pleasing texture that demonstrates the age and character of the oldest vines on our estate. The wine finishes dark and lush with tremendous length and complexity in character. Certain to age for many years to come, when cellared properly. Decanting is suggested to allow the full flavors to evolve and open, revealing the wine’s multidimensional complexity, elegance, and sophistication.Technical Information
| Varietal | Petite Sirah |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Blend | 85% Petite Sirah and 15% other varieties |
| Oak Treatment | 100% American oak barrels (33% new) for 15 months |
| Alcohol % | 14.7% |
| Enclosure Type | Cork |
Scores & Accolades
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93"Sourced from a single block of old vines that were originally planted in 1929, the 2019 Petite Sirah Ne Cede Malis is approximately 85% Petite Sirah, but it includes small proportions of 17 other varieties. Scents of mocha, plum, black cherries, blackberries and subtle dried spices mark the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and firmly built, with dusty tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish." -Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, September 15, 2022
Winemaking
Taking a minimalist approach, our winemakers like to say that they “guide” rather than “make” Ne Cede Malis. The carefully tended head trained vines in this 5-acre single block include Petite Sirah, Carignane, Mourvedre, Grenache, Peloursin, Syrah and even Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc, among others. After hand picking, the grapes were co-fermented, undergoing a short maceration prior to aging in American oak barrels (33% new) for 15 months. The oak’s spiciness, which could overwhelm a delicate wine, is easily handled and helps enhance the strength and depth of this powerful variety.Vintage
The 2019 harvest started one to two weeks later than previous years, mostly due to cooler temperatures across the growing season. The Spring season brought some rain during flowering, followed by cool temperatures, and that allowed the grapes to mature gradually. Most grapes ripened at lower sugars, thanks to the extended, cool growing season, and winemakers were very pleased with the full flavors, fresh acidity, and superb balance of the 2019 fruit. The resulting crop showed a modest yield with a slightly more compact structure and extract than in previous years.Vineyard
NE CEDE MALIS (pronounced Ne KAY Day Mah LEES) comes from the Latin phrase “Don’t give in to misfortune,” the family motto of Stags’ Leap founder Horace Chase. Sourced from the oldest block on our Estate with vines planted in 1929, the wine is predominantly Petite Sirah, though it includes at least 15 other varietals in small amounts. Year after year this gracefully aging block produces a small lot of wine – a truly unique field blend that simply could not be produced anywhere else.