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2019 Stags' Leap Winemakers Muse Napa Valley Touriga Nacional & Tannat
Description
Description
Each year, our winemakers find a new muse to inspire them – often varieties or vineyards that exceed expectation. This year, an impressive 2019 growing season resulted in exceptional character from varieties not often seen in Napa Valley - Touriga Nacional and Tannat. Touriga Nacional is a highly aromatic and complex wine honoring the unique character of this Portuguese varietal, while Tannat is darker, richer, and more complex with velvety-rich tannins. The combination of the elegance of Touriga and the pronounced masculine tannins of Tannat delivers a unique and exceptionally balanced wine. We selected the fruit from estate vineyards near Calistoga and Yountville, integrating 17% new French oak, to create a balanced and elegant, yet powerful wine.
Wine & Vintage Details
Wine & Vintage Details
Tasting Notes
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.
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.
Vineyard & Winemaking Details
Vineyard & Winemaking Details
Napa Valley AVA
Vineyards
The Touriga is sourced from our estate vineyards located near Calistoga in the northern most area of Napa Valley. Here, dramatic diurnal temperature swings achieve hot days and very cool evenings. There is a wide range of soil types in this vineyard and is home to several diverse vine plantings including Touriga, Tempranillio, Charbono, Marsanne and many more. The Tannat was also sourced from estate vineyards, but from the heart of Napa Valley, in Yountville. Here the alluvial fan soils encourage the vines to root deeply to find water. A few feet of topsoil cover a defined bed of cobblestones mixed with gravel, which provide enough stress to keep the grapes desirably small. The grapes achieve exceptionally thick and flavorful skins, which yield a rich, highly extracted wine.
Winemaking
Our winemaking team practiced simple methods to highlight the Touriga and Tannat’s unique characteristics in this wine to bring forward the pleasing aromatics, color and tannin profile, which these varietals are known for. The grapes for this wine undergo a brief maceration period (much shorter than the usual two weeks because of the innate structure and power within Touriga & Tannat), designed to gently extract flavor, color and tannin from the skins. The wine was aged in French Oak barrels (17% new) for 18 months to enhance the layers and complexity of the wine, as well as contribute a light spiced note. Then, the wine is bottled for further maturation in bottle to create the perfect balance and harmony for this vintage of the winemaker’s muse.
Christophe Paubert - Winemaker
For Christophe Paubert, Winemaker and General Manager at Stags’ Leap Winery, the identity of a wine is found through the terroir. Christophe’s career has spanned the industry from sales to winemaking, and his impressive background includes positions at Chateau d’Yquem and Gruaud-Larose as well as projects in Chile, Spain and Washington State. But it was the terroir of Stags’ Leap that drew him to California.
| Alcohol % | 14% |
|---|---|
| Enclosure Type | Cork |
| Oak Treatment | 100% French oak barrels (17% new) for 18 months |
| Blend | 58% Touriga Nacional & 42% Tannat |
| Case Production | 571 |