Apostrophe S or S Apostrophe

I was enjoying a glass of 2005 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet tonight and became inspired to tell the tales of the Stag's Leaps' as I've heard them from the two neighboring wineries.  I've been a guest at both wineries and am not going to take sides.  I enjoy them equally and cannot wait for my next invite to either. That said I give you the stories as I have heard from both fine establishments.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars:

200-acre vineyard located in the heart of the Stag's Leap District of the Napa Valley.

Winner of the 1976 Paris tasting that put Napa Valley "on the map" as the finest wine producing area in the world (for Cabernet and Chardonnay.)

Super cool wine cave that includes the only Foucault Pendulum in the Napa Valley and I believe only one of two in North America.

Recently aquired by Chateau Ste. Michelle Estates. A truly solid winery holding company.

Stags' Leap Winery:

 240-acre vineyard located in the heart of Napa Valley's Stag's Leap District.

Non-stop vineyard operations since 1880.

Country Resort and Spa (for the wealthy of San Francisco) in the early to mid 20th century.

Historic Stone manor house built in 1892.

Owned by Beringer Blass.

The two vineyards battled for years over the right to the name Stags Leap.  In 1986 the California Supreme Court ruled that Stag's Leap was an area not a vineyard.  And ordered "Cellars" to place the apostrophe before their s and "Winery" to place the apostrophe after their s.  Neither winery objected to the ruling, the lawyers made large sums of money.

As to the name Stag's Leap, I have heard two different versions to the story.  I can't remember which winery told which story and since I have been to both twice, they may have told different versions each time.  Anyway, there is a giant cliff at the top of the mountain in Stag's Leap.  Both stories tell of a Native American hunting a great stag to the end of the cliff.  In one the proud animal plunged to his death rather than being taken by the hunter.  In the other version the stag makes it safely to the other side of the cliff.   I have looked at that cliff and distance many times and find the first version of the story more plausible.

Colorado?

Some friends recently returned from a trip to Colorado. As their trusty dog sitters they often bring us a bottle of local wine from their travels. I know there are wineries in all fifty States, but am always curious and anxious to try wines from non-traditional wine growing climates.

 Book Cliff Vineyards 2006 Reserve Cabernet Franc is... interesting! Cabernet Franc from Colorado?? While this is a preferred grape on my list, I really did not ever think it could be cultivated in Colorado. Coming from a small 33 acre vineyard, Book Cliff is aged in 100% new French oak for 18 months; not bad. They are definitely making a heavy investment in their grapes. French oak barrels do not come cheap. To use 100% new is putting Book Cliff on a cost basis with the big boys of expensive wine country around the world.

 The wine was pleasant, although not typical of the domestic and European Cab Francs I am accustom. The alcohol is right in line at 14.3%, though it is certainly not a "hot" wine. It has smooth tannins and bright fruit flavors as opposed to the darker fruit typical of this variety. Rather than the usual tobacco, raspberry, and cassis, it has more of a light and lively violet flavor. A fun cab franc!

 Next time you pass through Colorado, grab a bottle. It's worth a try.