2019 Surber Cabernet Sauvignon
ABOUT DISTINGUISHED VINEYARDS
We are fortunate to source grapes from some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon growers in the Napa Valley. To honor the vineyards that stand out, each year we will produce the Distinguished Vineyards wines. In 2019, we chose Surber Vineyard in the Calistoga AVA as one of those vineyards.
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
The Surber Vineyard is in the northeast corner of Calistoga. It’s a warmer site for Calistoga due to the bowl it sits in, surrounded by rocky peaks. The vineyard is meticulously farmed by owners Ted and Sandra Surber and it’s a true labor of love for them. The grapes are from an older block grown in volcanic soil as well as a rocky block that borders Garnett Creek. The Cabernet berries are small and intense in flavor, and they have a distinct cherry cola character that is very aromatic.
The grapes were harvested on October 7 and 8. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 21 months in 100% new French oak. The wine was bottled without filtration.
VINTAGE
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. Following this wet and 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 less than 2018 and harvest was later than usual. The main challenge 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 the smoke out of the valley. Overall quality is quite high, and Cabernet has beautiful dark fruit aromas, nice complexity, and more richness than 2018.
TASTING NOTES
This 2019 Surber offers pleasing aromas of cola, fig, persimmon, boysenberry and a touch of cedar and spice. The wine has a polished mouthfeel with persistent flavors of fig, caramel, and light oak that lead to a lingering finish.