Sterling Vineyards
Diamond Mountain Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
One of the birth year bottles I opened for my 33rd this past week. It was opened alongside an ‘88 Chateau de Marbuzet (which never came alive).
Scoring these types of wines is difficult...based on shock factor, this is like a 95...based on profile (in a vacuum), it’s closer to 85...marrying the two, I have no problem giving this a 90-91. This was a bottle acquired from an estate sale. Mostly kept with one owner, it simply wasn’t kept in a temperature controlled environment. Even more, it showed a bit of seepage down the side. Expectations were low, but when removing the capsule, the cork looked quite good. Pulled the cork and it showed very little seepage overall...after pouring, it was shockingly impressive. When compared to the ‘88 Marbuzet, the nose was more ripe and high toned...dirty and ripe black cherries, cherry pipe tobacco, and fig. Very smooth and integrated, obviously, but an incredible structure shows up on the finish. Cocoa dusted dates, bayleaf, cracked black pepper crusted cherries, herbs de Provence and some leather. This powered through 3hrs open in the bottle and just got better and better.
It’s bottles like this that make you sit back and realize how incredible wine can be when it comes in a bottle that is totally unexpected. @Bill Bender , this surpassed even my highest hopes! Bravo!
One of the birth year bottles I opened for my 33rd this past week. It was opened alongside an ‘88 Chateau de Marbuzet (which never came alive).
Scoring these types of wines is difficult...based on shock factor, this is like a 95...based on profile (in a vacuum), it’s closer to 85...marrying the two, I have no problem giving this a 90-91. This was a bottle acquired from an estate sale. Mostly kept with one owner, it simply wasn’t kept in a temperature controlled environment. Even more, it showed a bit of seepage down the side. Expectations were low, but when removing the capsule, the cork looked quite good. Pulled the cork and it showed very little seepage overall...after pouring, it was shockingly impressive. When compared to the ‘88 Marbuzet, the nose was more ripe and high toned...dirty and ripe black cherries, cherry pipe tobacco, and fig. Very smooth and integrated, obviously, but an incredible structure shows up on the finish. Cocoa dusted dates, bayleaf, cracked black pepper crusted cherries, herbs de Provence and some leather. This powered through 3hrs open in the bottle and just got better and better.
It’s bottles like this that make you sit back and realize how incredible wine can be when it comes in a bottle that is totally unexpected. @Bill Bender , this surpassed even my highest hopes! Bravo!
1986. Savory olive with plenty of fruit left.
1986. Savory olive with plenty of fruit left.
Feb 3rd, 2019
Perfect timing; tarry, rich, complete and super flavorful.
Perfect timing; tarry, rich, complete and super flavorful.
Feb 19th, 2015
Founder Sandhi Wines & Domaine de la Côte, Evening Lands Vineyards, Seven Springs & Maison l'Oree
Blind tasting is fun!! #killer
Blind tasting is fun!! #killer
Feb 5th, 2014
Still lively. Bright fruit and lots of structure. Thanks Benchmark!
Still lively. Bright fruit and lots of structure. Thanks Benchmark!
Jan 18th, 2014
Blown away. Found it in a dusty soon to close wine shop. Nice surprise
Blown away. Found it in a dusty soon to close wine shop. Nice surprise
Jan 13th, 2013
Excellent drink. Used a coravin just in case it wasn’t ready to drink. After a few minutes it opened up with dark fruit on the nose and palate. No signs of aging in the glass (dark purple color, no brown edges). Tannins overwhelmed the fruit after 30 minutes or so in the glass.
Excellent drink. Used a coravin just in case it wasn’t ready to drink. After a few minutes it opened up with dark fruit on the nose and palate. No signs of aging in the glass (dark purple color, no brown edges). Tannins overwhelmed the fruit after 30 minutes or so in the glass.
Aug 29th, 2024I just opened 2000 vintage. Awesome wine. And also perfectly edged. We loved it.
I just opened 2000 vintage. Awesome wine. And also perfectly edged. We loved it.
Feb 1st, 2018