STAG'S LEAP WINE CELLARS Sauvignon Blanc 'Aveta' - Napa Valley 2024 Bottle

Description

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is synonymous with the history of Napa Valley, and their 2024 ‘Aveta’ Sauvignon Blanc continues this tradition by offering a wine that is both complex and exceptionally approachable. Sourced from choice vineyard sites across the valley, this vintage showcases the meticulous attention to detail for which the estate is famous.

In the glass, the wine displays a bright, straw-yellow colour and an aromatic profile that balances vibrant fruit with delicate floral undertones. Expect a lively nose of grapefruit zest, juicy white peach, and fresh-cut pineapple, softened by hints of jasmine and honeysuckle. On the palate, the 2024 vintage demonstrates remarkable tension; the acidity is bright and linear, supporting a textured mid-palate of citrus and stone fruit that leads into a clean, mineral-driven finish.

Unlike many New World Sauvignon Blancs, ‘Aveta’ avoids overt herbaceousness, preferring instead to highlight the pure, sun-ripened character of the fruit. This makes it an incredibly versatile pairing partner. Whether enjoyed as an elegant aperitif on a warm evening or served alongside grilled sea bass, citrus-marinated salads, or fresh chèvre, the ‘Aveta’ is a sophisticated wine that perfectly captures the refined, vibrant spirit of Napa.

DECANTER 93 points/100
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2036
Sourced primarily from vineyards in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley—including the estate-owned Danika Ranch Estate—with 24% drawn from long-time grower Rancho Chimiles in Wooden Valley, this Sauvignon Blanc-led blend is shaped by a thoughtful shift in winemaking for the vintage. In 2024, winemaker Marcus Notaro increased stainless-steel fermentations to 70% and 30% in neutral French oak barrels, followed by six months on the lees —a notable change from previous years. Notaro notes that much of Sauvignon Blanc’s flavour resides in the skins, and that controlled stabilisation helps release aromatic esters that might otherwise remain bound. The addition of Sémillon enhances palate weight and texture. In the glass, the wine is bright, vivid, and focused, offering a fleshy mid-palate balanced by grippy citrus character—lemon and lime zest—alongside high-toned floral notes and slivered almond aromatics. Laser-focused and polished, it finishes with welcome tension and clarity, making for a complex, energetic, and finely tuned white.

JAMES SUCKLING 92 points/100
If you’re looking for a leaner, lighter Napa white, this is a good choice. A light body, rather low alcohol and lots of bright, appetizing herb and citrus flavors distinguish this wine. So refreshing and savory with sweet peas, parsley and shallots. Drink now.

VINOUS 92 points/100
Drinking window: 2026 - 2030
The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Aveta is a wild, exuberant wine. Pear, lemon oil, white pepper and sweet perfumed notes are front and center. There's lovely textural depth, along with strong tropical inflections that add an exotic flair.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 92 points/100
Bright, almost pert aromatics of crisp nectarine, lemon zest, and a squeeze of tropical fruits carry into a mouthwatering, succulent palate that picks up flavors of lemongrass and a pithy finish. Medium-bodied and mouthwatering.