2019 The Investor
Napa Valley Red Wine
95 Points
The Founder of Stags’ Leap Winery, Horace Chase, who made his fortune investing in the gold and silver mines during the California gold rush, embarked on a new venture in 1893 – winemaking in Napa Valley. Mr. Chase found the perfect volcanic rock and rich clay soil in which to plant vines and build a home, creating the estate that inspired the Stags Leap appellation. The Investor Red Wine is crafted in tribute to Mr. Chase and pays homage to his entrepreneurial spirit.
The Investor is a red wine that beautifully blends together the unique flavors and expressions of merlot, petite sirah, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec, resulting in a powerful, yet approachable assemblage with significant fruit presence.
Tasting Notes
A true compliment to the winery’s ability to combine power with grace, the 2019 Investor is warm, rich, and inviting, with exuberant notes of dark blackberry, black cherry, blueberry cobbler, and dark plum, alongside spiced notes of cinnamon, clove, allspice, and vanilla. Alluring notes of black pepper, graphite, and floral violet are interwoven with delicate savory notes of fresh thyme, lavender, and wild sage. The plush mouthfeel is silky and inviting with round tannins that envelope the palate, leading to a long, mouthwatering finish with fresh acidity and vibrancy. Accompany alongside any dish to enliven any celebratory meal.
Vintage
The 2019 harvest started one to two weeks later than previous years, mostly due to February rains, but because the vines were in their winter dormancy, it did not affect the 2019 crop. Spring continued to be wet with some rain during flowering, followed by cool temperatures that allowed the grapes to mature gradually. Most grapes ripened at lower sugars, thanks to the extended, cool growing season, and winemakers were pleased with the full flavors, fresh acidity, and superb balance of the 2019 fruit. The resulting crop showed a modest yield with a slightly more compact structure and extract than in previous years.
Vineyards
The Investor is a red wine that beautifully blends together the unique flavors and expressions of merlot, petite sirah, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec, resulting in a powerful, yet approachable assemblage with significant fruit presence. The merlot contributes fresh red berry aromatics and a soft, velvety texture to balance the power of petite sirah, which adds concentration, tannins, spice, and blueberry flavors. The cabernet sauvignon further increases the final blend’s complexity and depth and the malbec’s incredibly vibrant floral aromatics heighten the blend’s freshness. The majority of the petite sirah fruit comes from estate vineyards in Oakville and Oak Knoll, and additional fruit is sourced from a diverse selection of northern and southern Napa Valley vineyards to broaden the wine’s floral and spicy characteristics. The merlot is sourced from our Stags’ Leap estate vineyards as well as grower vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley, and a selection of southern valley floor cabernet sauvignon fruit makes up the balance of the blend.
Winemaking
Maceration and fermentation followed suit for each of the varieties, which allowed winemaker Christophe Paubert to monitor and evaluate each lot individually, coaxing each varietal to its maximum potential. The wine is aged in oak for 20 months - the petite sirah in American oak barrels (25% new) while the Bordeaux varieties go to French oak (35% new). The final assemblage was blended just prior to bottling.
Awarded 95 Points by James Suckling
Pair with Braised Short Ribs
The Investor is the perfect red wine to enhance the flavors of this rich and hearty dish. The acidity in the wine will help to cut through the fat, while the tannins will help bring out the flavors of the meat.
“Aromas of black and red currants, dried herbs, black licorice and figs. Medium-to full-bodied with velvety tannins. Juicy and fruity at the start, but lovely ground spice emerges through the long finish. Well-structured and harmonious. 39% merlot, 32% petit sirah, 19% cabernet sauvignon and 10% malbec.”
James Suckling, June 1, 2022
