Held within a black core ringed by a vivid purple hue, Stags’ Leap Ne Cede Malis is an iconoclastic wine unto its own. Aromas from the 2022 vintage rise from the glass like a tuneful jazz arrangement: serene floral notes of rose and violet play first, then bergamot picks up the tempo, followed by a steady riff of raspberry and rhubarb that’s punctuated by a bass note blast of tropical papaya. On the palate, blood orange, raspberry, black plum, and dried blueberry flavors pop with a waft of hickory smoke that diffuses into a spectrum of wild sage, cocoa powder, and freshly roasted coffee bean. This impression is sustained by big, chewy tannins and bright, taut acidity, which gives structure to the weight of this complex wine and buoys the fruit through its rich finish. A perennial favorite with grilled steak, this wine will also pair exceptionally well with lamb couscous, spicy merguez sausages, and decadent chocolate desserts.
