Winemaker Notes
Blend: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2021 Stewart Tartan Red Wine is stylish and enjoyable, even at this early stage. It should age nicely over the next 8-10 years. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of earthy notes, sandalwood, and licorice. Pair it with grilled pork. (Tasted: May 9, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec, 15% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Red Blend Tartan reveals pleasure-bent aromas of sweet plum and darker berry fruits intermixed with spice and incense. Medium to full-bodied, round, and mouth-filling on the palate, it has ripe tannins and tons of fruit, all delivered in a pleasurable, textured, satisfying style.
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James Suckling
The nose is dark-fruited, with aromas of mulberries, tobacco and cedar. The palate is full-bodied with rustic tannins, integrated acidity and robust notes of dark chocolate, blackcurrants and rose hips. Needs time for the tannins to soften.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.