Sterling Reserve 1996 Front Label
Sterling Reserve 1996 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

Dense, inky-deep ruby purple color. In the nose, aromas of black currants, mocha and cigar box meld together. An elegant wine on the palate with complexities of vanilla, olive and cedar. This wine is certainly enjoyable now, yet will also cellar well into the next century.

Professional Ratings

  • 94
    Ripe, smooth and harmonious, showing layers of currant, cedar, coffee, anise and blackberry, this outstanding California red unfolds to reveal a supple texture, then firms up nicely on the finish. Competitively priced in this category at this score, too.
Sterling Vineyards

Sterling Vineyards

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Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.

Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.

ROB1133644_1996 Item# 7416