2018 Winemaker Series Red Blend

ABOUT WINEMAKERS SERIES

Our Winemaker Series allows winemaker Marcus Notaro to select interesting lots and create unique blends. This is like taking a walk through the vineyard, experiencing the unique characteristics that define Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ world-class vineyards. These wines often spend more time in barrel and offer a great juxtaposition to our classic Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars offerings.

VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING

Our Winemaker Series highlights special lots of wine that demonstrate distinctive character. These limited bottlings are hand-selected by our winemaker and showcase the very best of Napa Valley’s finest growers. This Red Blend showcases how skillful blending creates a lively, complex wine that equally expresses our winemaker’s perspective and the vineyards’ characteristics.  

VINTAGE

The 2018 season began with productive, late season rains that translated into strong vine growth throughout the spring. Cool temperatures in late spring resulted in an extended bloom period and very good fruit-set. Except for a hot July, the summer was beautiful with temperatures neither too hot nor too cool – a true Goldilocks zone. Cool temperatures returned in September that slowed ripening and extended hang-time, resulting in very even ripening with great flavors at lower sugar levels. We completed the harvest for our Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay – and began picking our red grapes – a good month later than in 2017 (and two weeks later than normal). Overall, this was a year of exceptional fruit quality producing wines with expressive fruit character.

TASTING NOTES

This wine opens with aromas of bright berry, strawberry, cherry, red fruits. On the palate, the wine has a soft structure with bright acidity; the finish has flavors of red fruits with a touch of oak spices - well integrated.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Try serving this Red Blend wine with roast duck with huckleberry sauce.