W&S: 94

Wine & Spirits Magazine Score

Original Score: 94
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WS: 87

Wine Spectator Score

Original Score: 87
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WE: 93

Wine Enthusiast Score

Original Score: 93
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Sterling Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley 1997

Winemaker's Notes:

The Place The individual lots of grapes for this wine were selected from our finest vineyards throughout the Napa Valley. These include lots from the legendary Three Palms Vineyard and Winery Lake Vineyard, as well as Peterson Ranch and a few other select sites near Rutherford and beyond. In each case, individual blocks were isolated at harvest and reserved for this wine because of their intensity of flavor and true varietal character. Winemaking The lots for the Reserve Merlot were kept separate and handled individually throughout meticulously monitored fermentation designed to maximize flavor extraction and tannin balance. The young wine was tasted regularly and only the best lots were retained for the final blend, which was barreled in 50% new oak barrels for 18 months of aging. Technically Speaking Appellation: 90% Napa Valley, 10% Sonoma County Varietal Profile: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 14.2% Total Acidity: 5.0 grams/liter pH: 3.74

Region: USA » California » Napa

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Winery: Sterling Vineyards

Color: Red

Varietal: Merlot

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Sterling Vineyards:
Our iconic winery is perched high above the town of Calistoga on a mid-valley hill. Its stark architectural beauty, state-of-the-art winemaking facility, and panoramic views of Napa Valley from the rooftop deck have attracted visitors from all 50 states for over 30 years.

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External Reviews for Sterling Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley

11/12/2010

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the November 2010 issue. Age has helped open up this wine, and its aromas of rich oak, red cherries, currants, dried plums and hints of lavender give it a remarkably attractive start. Its palatefeel and mid-depth stuffing are perhaps a little less convincing, and it is an open question whether the next five to ten years, which this wine will surely survive in fine fettle, will also bring it grandeur from stem to stern. Frankly, this is one worth hanging onto because it has every chance to continue to improve.

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Source: Premier Wine & Spirits

02/24/2012

Firm in structure, with tight, cedary currant, earth and cherry notes, turning dry. A style that will appeal to left-bank Bordeaux lovers Drink now through 2006.

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Source: Premier Wine & Spirits

02/24/2012

Estate-grown grapes from Californiarsquo;s Napa Valley are aged in small oak barrels, resulting in a wine laden with black cherry and currant nuances and hints of tobacco overlaying velvety tannins.

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Source: JJ Buckley Fine Wines

10/22/2009

Nicely proportioned, with a trim band of cedar, currant, anise and black cherry, turning chunky and tannic. Best from 2002 through 2009. 7,500 cases made. -JL Wine Spectator. A Cabernet Sauvignon wine from California in USA. 1997 Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain Ranch 750ml

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