1994 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Community Tasting Notes (18) Avg Score: 90.9 points

• Options

  • View mfriedman12's profile
  • Report Issue

  1/29/2024 - mfriedman12 wrote: 92 Points

  Vibrant and lively wine. Clearly this was built to last. Drank alongside a 1973 Sterling Merlot (which was surprisingly spry!) Two great examples of well made California wines inspired by Bordeaux.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Nerdy Earth Boy's profile
  • Report Issue

  9/25/2015 - Nerdy Earth Boy Likes this wine: 92 Points

  IJC nailed it! This juice is heavenly. Seriously this '94 Sterling is a dream. I really liked. For the 32 bottles left in the cellar, take ur time and enjoy!!

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View kevinacohn's profile
  • Report Issue

  1/3/2015 - kevinacohn wrote:

  From IJC's bottle. His excellent note accurately captures the experience that we shared in enjoying this wine. In addition to the tobacco/lead pencil aromas, I found hints of game on the nose, a slight smokiness on the palate, and a wild quality that I couldn't quite peg. I'm not a frequent drinker of Cabernet Sauvignon, but this surely belongs among the better examples, regardless of its origin. One of the finest American wines I've ever had. Rated 3 on a scale of -1 to 3.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View IJC's profile
  • Report Issue

  1/3/2015 - IJC Likes this wine:

  Everything one could ask for from a bottle of wine, and then some.
  
  This was an extraordinary drinking experience. The wine was in absolutely perfect condition (despite the fact that I kept it for 10-15 years in less than ideal storage before transferring to temperature control). Decanted, the color was clear, a beautiful shade of deep red/purple; the nose profound of fruit, bramble, and graphite; the tastes multilayered with beautifully resolved fine tannins, dark fruit with tobacco, lead pencil, herbaceous with just a touch of earthiness, and a level of acidity that made the flavors dance on the tongue. Over a period of an hour, this never flagged, and at times seemed to grow even more profound - a long lasting finish that stays in the mind even now, a day later as I write this note. All this, and the most beautiful label that Sterling perhaps ever created, fittingly, for their Silver (Sterling, perhaps?) anniversary.
  
  This is an exceptional example of what Cabernet Sauvignon can become, irrespective of the origin. It would therefore be insulting to say this is the equal of the great Bordeaux chateau, but for those so inclined, it was - the Bordelaise should do so well. One rarely finds wine made in this fashion nowadays - on either side of the Atlantic - a pity.
  
  Other tasters had suggested this wine was "done" long ago. Wrong. For anyone still holding bottles, I suggest now is the time to drink - additional age is unlikely to improve it.
  
  Rated 3 on a scale of -1 to 3.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Two Winos's profile
  • Report Issue

  10/2/2011 - Two Winos wrote: 88 Points

  Very soft and elegant, but not much life left in it. If you have it, drink it now and enjoy it while it can still be enjoyed.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

View all 18 Community Tasting Notes

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.