Stewart Cellars produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Merlot, the “Tartan” red blend, and several Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The Stewart Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon portfolio includes excellent wines from five of the Beckstoffer vineyards in Napa Valley. Stewart Cellars has an attractive and comfortable tasting room in downtown Yountville and an attached restaurant called Southside Cafe.

The following reviews are based on samples.

2014 Stewart Cellars Merlot Napa Valley 90+ 14.5% 750ml $40

The 2014 Stewart Cellars Merlot is 100% varietal and all from the Broken Rock Vineyard. The steep, rocky site is just below the Atlas Peak AVA, at about 800 feet. It faces west.

Ruby in the glass with aromas of ripe red currant, grenadine, sweet herb, and cocoa. Body is medium-plus with softish, lightly grippy, fine-grained tannins which persist with a gentle chalkiness. Flavors out of the bottle include red currant, slightly tart plum, dark chocolate, espresso, and drying herb. There’s good balance right now between fruit and tannins. Long, warming finish. With air, the savory flavors recede and the fruit becomes richer and darker. Drink now-2025

2015 Stewart Cellars Tartan Red Blend Napa Valley 89 14.5% 750ml $45

The 2015 Stewart Cellars Tartan in s 56% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot. The fruit came from Broken Rock Vineyard in Soda Canyon, Max Vineyard in Yountville, and Juliana Vineyard in Pope Valley. The wine aged 22 months in 40% new French oak barrels.

The nose is a little shy out of the bottle, but gains power with air. Aromas and flavors include blackberry, black cherry, wood, dark spice, and dry earth. The warm palate has medium-plus body with softish, fine-grained texture which comes into balance with the fruit after some time in a decanter. Drink now-2027

2015 Stewart Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 91+ 14.5% 750ml $70

Like the Merlot, this wine is 100% varietal. Max Vineyard contributed 93% of the fruit. Edcora Vineyard provided the balance. The latter vineyard is in the Atlas Peak AVA and has been farmed organically since 2014. The wine aged 22 months in 60% new French oak barrels.

Dark ruby color with generous aromas of black currant jam, black cherry, spice, cocoa, and dried mint. The palate is nearly full-bodied with a good helping of very fine, soft, chalky texture. The flavors focus on dark fruit, dark spice, and wood. Right now, the wine is somewhat oak forward, but that balance will shift toward fruit with a few years bottle age. Drink 2021-2028.

Other articles about Stewart Cellars on this site

Stewart Cellars New Releases for Spring 2017

Three Rosé Wines for Summer

Stewart Cellars and Gather Café in Yountville (Gather has changed to Southside)

Copyright Fred Swan 2019. Images courtesy of Stewart Cellars. All rights reserved.