2021 STATUS QUO
2021 STATUS QUO
The Phipps Family Cellars 2021 STATUS QUO is a project that began in conjunction with the winemakers from Domaine Ste. Michelle (DSM) working out of the cellar at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (SLWC). Back in 2021, Domaine Ste Michelle owned 85% of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and the Antinori Family owned the remaining 15%.
The 2021 Vintage was such a special growing season in Alexander Valley that the DSM winemakers curated this lot for a special Alexander Valley project that would rise up alongside the talented winemaking team at SLWC. Then, when it came time for final blending & bottling, the Antinori Family purchased SLWC from DSM and this project went on the backburner.
Fortunately for us, this wine needed a new home because SLWC only produces & sells Estate Wines from their own Napa Valley Estate Vineyards. So… We were contacted to revive this project and after tasting through the entire lot, we decided to create a blend that would highlight the beautiful structure of the Alexander Valley lot with some of the SLWC Stag’s Leap Cabernet and create a powerful, new STATUS QUO wine.
The 2021 STATUS QUO offers both style and structure, with lively aromas of black raspberry, cracked pepper and mocha, with plush and layered flavors of wild berry, blueberry, dark cherry, graham cracker, exotic Asian five spice, fresh sage, and cardamom. It displays ripe yet well-integrated tannins that linger long into the finish.
Lush and ripe, this is a decadent wine with excellent structure and great complexity.
The 2021 STATUS QUO blend consists of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from both the Alexander Valley in Sonoma and the Stag’s Leap District in Napa Valley.
The popular Red Wine Blend, STATUS QUO, was added to the Phipps line-up in 2007 and is only produced in very special Vintage years. It is our Homage to André Tchelistcheff and his Special Burgundy bottlings that he made at Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) and only in special Vintage years. Andrew Phipps, in his first year in the BV Cellar, worked under André, on experimental lots, during his last year consulting at BV.
The Alexander Valley AVA is a Mediterranean climate with wet, cool winters and arid summers that are tempered by the nearby Pacific Ocean influence. The rocky volcanic soils of the valley are well-drained and characterized by a diverse mineral composition which helps Bordeaux grape tannin profiles thrive. The results are fruit that achieve a balanced ripeness profile maximizing vibrancy and complexity of flavors.
Comprised of only 2,700 acres, with approximately 1,200 planted, the Stags Leap District is known worldwide for its Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, the District is comprised of over 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and upwards of 90% with red Bordeaux blending varietals included. Benefiting from cool Pacific breezes, long, dry summer days and unique volcanic soils with overlays of bale loam, the Stags Leap District produces wines critically acclaimed for their power and grace, lush fruit and soft tannins with complex layers of flavor.
2021 STATUS QUO Vinification Notes
100% 2021 Vintage
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
86% Alexander Valley | 14% Stag’s Leap District
Aged 18 months in 100% French Oak | 40% New & 60% Once-Used Barrels
Bottled April 10, 2023
700 Cases Produced