In the fall of 2021, Chris Daniel Stewart’s Malbec from Ed Kelly’s Stillwater Creek Vineyard on the Royal Slope finished as the No. 1 wine of the Platinum. The young Napa-based winemaker returned with another stellar effort with Malbec — his third straight vintage of earning a Platinum for Malbec. Stewart became enchanted with Malbec while making wine in Chile, and he appreciates the way this Bordeaux ripens ahead of Cab. He continues to capture the dark purple fruit notes that he seeks, and the work in their Quincy, Wash., cellar by his father, Michael, preserves notes of orange oil, white pepper and leather as well as a sweet blend of cinnamon and vanilla. Qualifying awards: Seattle Wine Awards (gold), Wenatchee (gold)
Rating: Double Platinum • 95 points
Production: 78 cases
Alcohol: 15.2%
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