Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (1979)

About this wine

This 1979 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley offers a nose of mint, chocolate, and tobacco, with a sweet, vinous core. Mid-weight on the palate, it presents gentle tannins and a hint of spruce and earth. A touch of acidity leads to a pleasant finish. While not particularly deep or long, it remains a delightful example of a mature Napa Cabernet. Sterling Vineyards, founded in 1964, gained international recognition when its wine won first place in the Ottawa Wine Tasting of 1981.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape that emerged in 17th-century France from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is renowned for its thick skins and resilience, making it a favorite among vintners. In Napa Valley, this varietal gained prominence, especially after the 1976 Judgment of Paris, where local wines outperformed esteemed French counterparts, elevating the region's global reputation. Sterling Vineyards, established in 1964, embraced Cabernet Sauvignon early on, contributing to Napa's rise as a premier wine-producing area. Their 1979 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon reflects this commitment, showcasing the grape's adaptability and the valley's unique terroir.

Quick facts

• 🍇 Sterling Vineyards, founded in 1964 by British businessman Peter Newton, is renowned for producing California's first vintage-dated Merlot in 1969.
• 🌞 The 1979 Sterling Vineyards Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon hails from Napa Valley, a region celebrated for its ideal climate and soil conditions that produce exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
• 🍷 Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape variety used in this wine, is known for its thick skins and small berries, contributing to the wine's deep color and robust tannins, which enhance its aging potential.
• 🌡️ The 1979 vintage in Napa Valley experienced a cool spring followed by a warm summer, leading to wines with balanced acidity and concentrated flavors.
• 🏛️ Sterling Vineyards' unique architecture, inspired by the white-washed buildings of the Greek island Mykonos, offers visitors a distinctive experience, including a gondola ride to the hilltop winery.

Palate profile

Producer

Sterling Vineyards, founded in 1964 by British expatriates Peter Newton and Michael Stone, is renowned for its innovative contributions to Napa Valley winemaking. Notably, it produced California's first vintage-dated Merlot in 1969. The winery's architecture, inspired by the Greek island of Mykonos where Newton once lived, features a distinctive white stucco design and is uniquely accessible via an aerial gondola—the only one of its kind at a winery. Perched 300 feet above Calistoga, Sterling offers panoramic views of the Napa Valley, enhancing its reputation as a premier wine destination.