2016 Chase Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
ABOUT CHASE CREEK
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 to not only create a healthier watershed, but also to help us produce more vibrant, energetic wines.
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
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 primarily from FAY Block 1, which is located right between the FAY Outlook & Visitor Center and Chase Creek.
VINTAGE
Although bud-break in Napa Valley was early in 2016, the season was much cooler than normal. We didn’t get the usual high heat in July and August, which provided for a longer hang time for the grapes. Overall, quality was high, particularly at our FAY and S.L.V. estate vineyards. The grapes in FAY and S.L.V. ripened uniformly, and while yields were a bit lower than average, the flavors were great, and the tannins were soft and supple. The harvest was smooth and progressed from varietal to varietal with the Sauvignon Blanc coming in first, then the Chardonnay, and time in between to transition to the reds. In late September, we started bringing
in Cabernet Sauvignon from across the valley for our ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon and it was interesting that the grapes – all the way from the cooler Coombsville area up to the warmer parts of St. Helena – ripened at the same time. We completed the Cabernet harvest in October.
TASTING NOTES
The 2016 Chase Creek Cabernet Sauvignon has expressive, perfumed aromas with notes of black olive, fig, dark chocolate and clove. The wine has a soft entry and lively texture with bright fruit and a silky finish.
FOOD PAIRINGS
Try serving this wine with prosciutto-wrapped pork tenderloin or grilled bone-in pork chops with sautéed wild mushrooms.