2017 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 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, primarily from FAY Block 1, which is located right between the FAY Outlook & Visitor Center and Chase Creek. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 20 months in 75% new French oak and 25% new American oak.
VINTAGE
The 2017 vintage was a memorable one with more than its fair share of historic challenges – but it resulted in very high-quality fruit at lower yields. We started with a wet winter that brought much-needed water after several years of drought. Spring and summer temperatures alternated between unusually cool and unusually hot with a record-breaking heat wave over Labor Day weekend. Just as harvest was reaching its final crescendo, on October 8th tragic wildfires broke out that burned throughout Napa and Sonoma counties. At Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, the Atlas Peak fire burned right down to the edge of the estate vineyards. Thankfully the vineyard served as a giant fire break and the winery was undamaged and our employees were safe. We give a special thank you to the cellar and maintenance teams who demonstrated incredible dedication to wine quality in restoring power to the winery and caring for the fermenting wines under extreme conditions.
TASTING NOTES
The 2017 Chase Creek Cabernet Sauvignon has expressive aromas of jasmine, plum, black olive, and baking spice. The palate is filled with dried fruit and dried herb flavors along with a touch of caramel. The wine is medium bodied with subtle tannins.
FOOD PAIRINGS
Try serving this wine with prosciutto-wrapped pork tenderloin or grilled bone-in pork chops with sautéed wild mushrooms.