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Wine Recommendation

Wine:Surh-Luchtel Cellars 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard (Napa Valley)

Surh-Luchtel Cellars

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard
(Napa Valley)




With red volcanic soil and boulders, the 1200 acre Stagecoach Vineyard is Napa Valley’s largest contiguous mountain vineyard. Located at an elevation of 1500 to 1700 feet, it stretches from the western border of Atlas Peak to the southern edge of Pritchard Hill. More than 40 wineries purchase the fruit -- intense, small berry, thick skinned grapes that produce dark, intense, and tannic wines, from the owners, the Krupp family.

Don Surh and Gary Luchtel crushed this blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc with high whole berry content, gave it a long cold soak – six days, and then fermented it for eleven days with temperatures reaching 86 degrees. After racking, aging for twenty one months in 80% new French oak. blending, and bottling without fining and filtration it is, as one might expect, deeply saturated in color – a vivid ruby with tinges of garnet towards the edge. Right out of the bottle it showed a note of SO2 that blew off with aeration, followed by notes of barnyard, earth, plum, cassis, tar, and smoke. Cherry and plum fruits bursts out on the palate. Fruit tannins are ripe and oak tannins are mellow. The wine has bright natural acidity and a big, flavorful finish.

Reviewed May 23, 2007 by Catherine Fallis.




Other reviewed wines from Surh-Luchtel Cellars

 
Surh-Luchtel Cellars
2003 Syrah
(Napa Valley)
Catherine Fallis 6/11/2007

The Wine

Winery: Surh-Luchtel Cellars
Vineyard: Stagecoach Vineyard
Vintage: 2004
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon (98%), Merlot (1%), Cabernet Franc (1%)
Price: 750ml $60.00

Review Date: 5/23/2007

The Reviewer

Catherine Fallis

Founder and President of Planet Grape LLC, a company committed to bringing the joy of wine, food, and good living into the lives of everyday people, Catherine is creator of the “grape goddess guides to good living,” a series of books, television presentations, seminars, and e-learning programs. The fifth woman in the world to become a Master Sommelier, grape goddess Catherine Fallis is still very much down-to-earth.