Sterling Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Flight #3 of our 1997 Retrospective. Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #1 was vinous but very much alive and actually, quite enjoyable! It had a lot of the characteristics that I would generally associate with a mature Napa Cabernet…which is complimentary. Because it was the most “basic” of the group, I called Sterling. Drink now through 2027.
Flight #3 of our 1997 Retrospective. Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #1 was vinous but very much alive and actually, quite enjoyable! It had a lot of the characteristics that I would generally associate with a mature Napa Cabernet…which is complimentary. Because it was the most “basic” of the group, I called Sterling. Drink now through 2027.
Feb 5th, 2024
Soft berry flavors with plum. Quite delicate. A little short
Soft berry flavors with plum. Quite delicate. A little short
Jun 6th, 2021
Deep Ruby with aromas of fresh dark red fruits and spicy oak notes. The palate shows raspberry, plums and blackberries and with herb spice, cedar and notes of cacao. Mefium+ length, tannins a bit firm, good balance ending with oak and pepper spice. Good value.
Deep Ruby with aromas of fresh dark red fruits and spicy oak notes. The palate shows raspberry, plums and blackberries and with herb spice, cedar and notes of cacao. Mefium+ length, tannins a bit firm, good balance ending with oak and pepper spice. Good value.
Feb 20th, 2020Very dark. Brooding dark fruit with mint, menthol, plums, damson, a Chocolatey note. Very dark and vibrant still. Lean, with iron and excellent balance. For a 45 year old wine this is great.
Very dark. Brooding dark fruit with mint, menthol, plums, damson, a Chocolatey note. Very dark and vibrant still. Lean, with iron and excellent balance. For a 45 year old wine this is great.
Oct 21st, 2018
That's it! It's Friday and I'm ready for my Cabernet fix.
Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, licorice, oak, vanilla, chocolates, cloves, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, earth, peppercorn, leather and tobacco.
Full bodied but not bold, with medium acidity and nice legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cherries, sweet raspberries, smoke, vegetables, vanilla, earth, coffee, bitter herbs, spices, cola, graphite and peppercorn.
Medium plus in finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a nice Napa Cabernet. Well balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food. A good sipping wine and good for parties.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (about 45 minutes). This 4 year old will also drink nicely in the next 5 years.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and interesting jams.
James Suckling 91 points.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
That's it! It's Friday and I'm ready for my Cabernet fix.
Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, licorice, oak, vanilla, chocolates, cloves, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, earth, peppercorn, leather and tobacco.
Full bodied but not bold, with medium acidity and nice legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cherries, sweet raspberries, smoke, vegetables, vanilla, earth, coffee, bitter herbs, spices, cola, graphite and peppercorn.
Medium plus in finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a nice Napa Cabernet. Well balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food. A good sipping wine and good for parties.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (about 45 minutes). This 4 year old will also drink nicely in the next 5 years.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and interesting jams.
James Suckling 91 points.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
Black currant black cherry and a fair amount of jalapeño on nose with secondary notes coming through. Still well structured with acidity. Showing well.
Black currant black cherry and a fair amount of jalapeño on nose with secondary notes coming through. Still well structured with acidity. Showing well.
Oct 29th, 2017
Deep brick red. Lots of aged characteristics on the nose with soft dark fruits. Strong acidity and medium tannins (5/10). Medium bodied with dark red berries and balanced. Medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2018.
Deep brick red. Lots of aged characteristics on the nose with soft dark fruits. Strong acidity and medium tannins (5/10). Medium bodied with dark red berries and balanced. Medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2018.
Sep 1st, 2017
Great red. Needed to sit out for awhile and then it really opened up.
Great red. Needed to sit out for awhile and then it really opened up.
3 people found it helpfulNov 8th, 2015