By Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Cellarius Series 2013

Series Background
Andreas Cellarius was a 17th-century German scholar and mapmaker. His 1661 text, the Harmonia Macrocosmica, illustrated the theories and philosophies on the science of stellar and planetary movement that were debated during the Renaissance period. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars owns a set of nine of the engravings. Highly detailed, the artist created works that manage to be both precise in their presentation of the theories of the day and strikingly beautiful. The Cellarius Series pays tribute to Andreas Cellarius by seeking to map Napa Valley throughout three unique perspectives on a winemaking theme and features a different engraving each vintage. In 2013, our winemaking team explored three different trellising systems in the FAY vineyard. These wines are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the same vineyard but demonstrate the differences in how the trellising system contributes to the flavor and textures of the wines. The 2013 labels feature Cellarius' Plate 5, which illustrates the scenography of the Copernican world system.

All Three Wines
Appellation: Napa Valley
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.50%
Release Date: March 2017

Cellarius I - Moser/Split Canopy
Harvest: October 10, 2013
Aging: 20 months in 100% new French oak
Acid: 0.51g/100mL
pH: 3.71
Source: Primarily from FAY Block 5C. The Moser-Split Canopy is a V-shaped trellis system that splits canopy growth from the cordon in a V-shaped pattern. It allows for dappled light exposure on the fruit (vs. direct sun exposure) and healthy air circulation, resulting in tannins that are silkier and softer, and the flavors are more red-fruit driven.
Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Sauvignon offers generous aromas of spicy red fruit, boysenberry, fig, and a touch of chocolate, tobacco, and cedar. The wine has a soft, round mid-palate and a finish with flavors of red berries, licorice, and hints of vanilla and sweet oak. Enjoy with filet mignon with red wine demi-glace, duck confit, or grilled portobello mushrooms tossed in olive oil with fresh rosemary.

Cellarius II - Cane Pruned
Harvest: September 25 and October 26, 2013
Aging: 21 months in 70% new French oak
Acid: 0.54g/100mL
pH: 3.62
Source: Primarily sourced from FAY Block 6, Block 8A, and 8B, this wine highlights cane-pruned vines. Cane pruning creates a new fruiting architecture in lieu of a traditional cordon each year, resulting in more variability in cluster development. The flavors tend to be more complex with both red and dark fruit, along with more dried herb and spice characters.
Tasting Notes: The wine opens with Bing cherry, cranberry, cinnamon, and sage aromas with a touch of olive and strawberry. The wine has a bright, elegant texture, with complex earthy notes that lead to a soft finish with hints of cherry. Enjoy this hearty wine with a rack of lamb with dried sage, pork tenderloin with wild mushrooms, or risotto cakes with Fontina cheese.

Cellarius III - Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)
Harvest: September 12, 2013
Aging: 21 months in 96% new French oak
Acid: 0.50g/100mL
pH: 3.63
Source: Primarily from FAY Blocks 8C2, 8C3, and 8C4, which have traditional cordons with canopy shoots held within trellis wires and oriented in a vertical direction (vertical shoot positioning or VSP). VSP is one of the most common forms of trellising today as it allows for more direct sun exposure to the fruit, resulting in richer flavors, darker fruit character, and more powerful tannins.
Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Sauvignon has darker fruit and riper flavors than the others in the series. The wine has generous aromas of blackberry, dried herb, black tea, and currant. The wine has a bigger texture, full of dark fruit and hints of oak, leading to a rich finish. Try with grilled rib-eye with roasted mushrooms or Tagliatelle with short rib ragu.
[Information provided by Votto Vines]