Surh-Luchtel Cellars

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.