Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 06

Tasting Notes:
Our 2006 Sterling Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon displays deep ruby color and rich, expressive aromas of spicy black cherry and briary blackberry, with subtle hints of cedar and mocha. The mouthfilling flavors of ripe black and red fruits, laced with clove and allspice, persist through the lengthy finish. Silky, ripe tannins structure the wine and contribute to the plush texture on the palate. Toasty oak, from 14 months of barrel-aging, add warm tones to the aromas and flavors.

This Cabernet Sauvignon?s smooth, inviting flavors taste delicious with grilled lamb chops, with rosemary and garlic mashed potatoes or steak with a green peppercorn sauce. You?ll find roast duck with a black cherry sauce, lightly spiced with clove, magically repeats the wine?s flavors. Use your imagination; if you like the pairing, it works.

Vineyard Notes:
To achieve the wine?s symphony of flavors, we harvested Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes grown in a variety of soils and climates within the Napa Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), including Rutherford, Oak Knoll, Calistoga and Pope Valley. We also selected a vineyard in the Knights Valley AVA of Sonoma. The personality of each vineyard, influenced by micro-climate, soil minerals and water availability, site exposure, clones and cultivation techniques, adds nuances of complexity to the final blend.

Production Notes:
95% Napa Valley, 5% Knights Valley

Winemaker Notes:
Patience was a winning virtue in 2006. Overall the growing season was cooler than normal. Low spring temperatures delayed bud-break by approximately three weeks but by June, fruit set and flowering was well developed. A short heat wave in July gave the vines a needed boost to catch up to a typical growing season. Cool, even weather persevered throughout the fall, enabling the grapes to develop good intensity and concentration of fruit. Ideal conditions remained through harvest and daily diligence was greatly rewarded with vibrant fruit flavors and good acid levels.