Sterling SVR Reserve 2008 Front Label
Sterling SVR Reserve 2008 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

Composed of our favorite lots from the vintage, our 2008 SVR Reserve blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot into powerful wine that marries concentrated richness with an inviting approachability. Winemaker Alison Crary characterizes the wine's intense, oak-influenced character as a "black profile" showing graphite, licorice, cedar and mocha over dark cherry and ripe plum. The fruit of this vintage is more subdued than usual, adopting barrel notes of roasted coffee and dark chocolate as the dominant flavors. Chewy tannins structure the finish as red fruit, dark chocolate and brown sugar linger on the finish.
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.

SWS271274_2008 Item# 112652