Steltzner Family Vineyards

At Last, another research day! Time to cruise the Town Car over to Napa for a wine tour and article #2. It's a beautiful day in the valley as I head up to the Silverado Trail to the Stags Leap District for a tasting at Steltzner Family Vineyards. I have been a fan of Steltzner's big, bold red wines (especially the Cabernet) for over 20 years, and have taken at least 100 tours there for tasting, so I'm on familiar ground (and have always gotten very favorable feedback from my clients).

The tasting room sits amid the 100 acre vineyard in the heart of Stags Leap. Planted in 1965 by Dick Steltzner which they produced their first Cabernet in 1977. They now grow all the Bordeaux varietals plus Sangoivese and Pinotage. Annual production is 20K cases. The winery operations are now run by the founder’s daughter, Allison Steltzner. Tim Dolven took over winemaking duties in April of 2004 (after 2.5 years as winemaker at Bouchaine).

THE WINES
2006 Estate Malbec $42/bottle - Slightly floral strawberry aromas. Medium bodied with good fruit and spice. Soft tannins on the finish. One of the smoothest Malbecs I've tasted. 400 cases produced.

2005 Estate Pinotage $32/bottle - This is a rare grape of South African Heritage. Only produced by 5 vintners in Sonoma and Napa. It is a flower cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It has the fruit and spiciness of a Pinot, but with a fuller body and mouth feel. 500 cases produced.

2005 Estate Sangiovese Riserva $38/bottle - This is a fine, drinkable Sangiovese. Great nose, medium bodied with cherries, strawberries, clove & spice. A long finish with a hint of chocolate. YUM!! (I have barrel sampled the 2007 predict it will also be a winner) 500 cases produced.

2006 Claret $20/bottle - This is a Bordeaux blend made to be enjoyed young. Full nose, bold fruit with a full mouth feel and lingering finish. This is a wine you can serve with confidence while aging your Estate Cabs. The Steltzner Claret is a great value at $20.

2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $40/bottle - Cabernet is the king at Steltzner and the 2005 vintage is no exception. This is a rich full bodied Cab with full & luscious fruit and excellently balanced with oak and tannins. This is a personal favorite of mine and should even improve with age.

2005 Estate RMS Reserve Cabernet $100/bottle - This wine embodies everything I enjoy in a Steltzner Cab and takes it to the next level. This is a true reserve wine, the best they have to offer and limited production. Last week I enjoyed a bottle with a fellow wine aficionado (It was a gift from a friend, Thank You Dr Jimmy!!) who said "this is like drinking velvet" and I whole heartedly agreed. This wine drinks well now but has exceptional aging potential to improve for the next 10 + years. 300 cases produced.

The tasting fees are quite reasonable (for Napa) at $10 for the tasting (Lou has 2 for 1 coupons so its $5 per person) and $25 pp for the tasting plus a cave tour that includes barrel sampling and blending different cabernet lots. The cave is actually a wine tunnel - it is 300 yards long and goes thru the hillside. The hospitality staff (Aaron & Gretchen) are friendly and knowledgeable and well versed in the history of the area.
If you enjoy big, well balanced reds - Steltzner is a must stop on your Napa wine tour.

Lou 8/19/09