By Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
2019 Chase Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

Background
This limited-production wine pays tribute to our ongoing efforts to protect and preserve our land and community. Chase Creek runs through our property and is part of a watershed that is crucial to the health of Napa Valley's ecosystem. Our creek restoration work in our estate vineyards has helped not only to create a healthier watershed but also to produce more vibrant, energetic wines.

Vineyards
Chase Creek, an offshoot of the Napa River, courses along the western edge of our S.L.V. and FAY vineyards in the Stags Leap District. Over time, erosion diverted the creek from its natural course, and non-native plants took over the creek banks. We replaced these invasive growths with native plants, which attract beneficial insects and pest-fighting raptors, hawks, and owls. Bobcats and coyotes roam the riparian corridor adjacent to our vineyards, and we've seen less soil erosion since the restoration, even after flooding in 2006. The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, primarily from FAY Block 1, located between the FAY Outlook and Visitor Center and Chase Creek.

Vintage Details
Spring in Napa Valley was wet with significant rain that increased canopy growth and caused some shatter during bloom in the vineyards. Our vineyard team worked diligently to balance canopies and fruit load, and to expose the fruit to the sun at the right time. After a wet, cool start to the year that resulted in a lot of vigor, the summer gave way to near-ideal growing conditions. Like 2018, a long growing season allowed for grapes to reach optimal ripeness. Yields were lower than in 2018, and the harvest was later than usual. The main challenge with this harvest was powering wineries with generators, as the power company shut off electricity to mitigate any potential fires due to high winds. Fires in upper Sonoma did not affect northern Napa Valley vineyards, and winds kept smoke out of the valley. Overall quality is quite high, and the Cabernet has beautiful dark fruit aromas, nice complexity, and is richer than the previous vintage.

Wine Details
Appellation: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
Harvest Date: October 23, 2019
Blend: 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: In stainless steel tanks
Malolactic Fermentation: 100%
Aging: 20 months in 75% new French oak and 25% new American oak
Alcohol: 14.80%
pH: 3.71
Titratable Acidity: 0.55 g/100ml
Release Date: December 2023

Tasting Notes
The 2019 Chase Creek Cabernet Sauvignon offers inviting aromas of boysenberry, red currant, raspberries, and plums. Medium-bodied, the wine has a bright texture with pleasing flavors of black olive and toasty oak. A vibrant mouthfeel and well-balanced, elegant tannins with cherry, licorice, and cedar flavors.
[Information provided by Votto Vines]