2021 Stewart Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon

Stewart Cellars was founded in 2000 by Michael Stewart, who built a career in technology in Texas before buying property in Napa Valley. Stewart runs the estate with his wife and adult children, and the consulting winemaker is Paul Hobbs, a much-admired winemaker who founded his own winery and consults throughout the world. Grapes are sourced from some of the area’s premium vineyards, including Las Piedras, Stagecoach and Ross Station, in the Russian River Valley. Stewart makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called Stewart Cellars a “small, high quality boutique producer” making “Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River area as well as some exceptionally fine Cabernet Sauvignon from various vineyards in Napa.” He has rated the wines in the low to mid-90s.

Yountville AVA is just west of Stags Leap and north of Oak Knoll. It is centered around the town of Yountville, named for George Yountville, who planted the area’s first vineyard in 1836. The district received appellation status in 1999 and it includes 4,000 vineyard acres. It is known for tannic Cabernet Sauvignon that has a reputation for aging well. Dominus Estate, formerly Napanook Vineyard, is one of the most prestigious producers in Yountville, and in all of Napa Valley.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.