When is the shelf life/best time to open a bottle of Stags Leap Cab (i think its a 2007) recently given to me as a gift. Also, what is the best way to store this and peak time to drink? Thank you.
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
I would need more information in order to know exactly which of several Cabernets from the Stags Leap district you might have. Are you referring to Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, which makes numerous high quality examples such as Artemis, Fay, S.L.V. and Cask 23? Or does the wine come from Stags'Leap Winery, or from another producer who sourced the wine in this district? For now, I'll give you a more general answer. Given the origin and probable standard of quality, along with the concentration and potential of the 2007 vintage, you can enjoy the wine now for its youthful fruit or cellar it for at least several years (or longer, depending on the bottling). A top example from this area is likely to be rather firm and fresh at this stage, and may well benefit from the softening effects of bottle aging. Keep the bottle on its side (I assume it has a cork) in a location which is dark and maintains a stable temperature in the 50's F.
