2017 Freemark Abbey Stagecoach Vineyard Merlot

Freemark Abbey, in St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, was founded in 1886 by Josephine Tychson, one of the region’s first women winemakers. But the winery’s modern history started in 1939 when the three people who then owned the winery combined their last names to make up “Freemark Abbey.” The site has never had anything to do with a religious order. In 1967 the winery was purchased by seven business partners who made major innovations. Today the winery owns nearly 300 acres of vineyards and also sources grapes from some of the areas most acclaimed districts including the Rutherford Bench, Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain. Freemark Abbey is known for its Cabernet Sauvignons, though it also makes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah and late harvest Riesling. Noted California wine writer James Laube has written that the estate makes wines of “finesse and polish.”

Atlas Peak AVA is perched above the Stags Leap AVA to the northeast of the city of Napa. Elevation ranges from 760 to 2,600 feet, and temperatures are up to 15 degrees cooler in the Atlas Peak vineyards compared with vineyards in the valley. There are 1,500 vineyard acres planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The appellation was named for Atlas Peak, which, at 2,633 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in the area.

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.