2010 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon

Blackberry, black currant and black cherry, deep and layered with baker’s chocolate, tar, toast, clove and espresso. The intensity of flavors effortlessly unifies the palate, joined by mouth-coating tannins that support and lift the long finish. “When experiencing this wine, it reminds me of stepping into a dark, wood-paneled library that envelopes your senses with its presence.

With cooler weather in 2010, harvest was later than average. Fruit hung on the vine well into late October, developing incredible color, structure and fruit maturity. To build texture and layers, we chose multiple vessels for fermentation and aging, including stainless steel tanks, one-ton fermentors and oak barrels. This allowed us to tailor our winemaking and draw forward each lot’s expressive individuality.

91 Points, The Wine Advocate

2011 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon

Rich, dark fruit aromas unfold with hints of violet, black plum, cassis, and cedar. The cooler vintage offers distinctive mineral and graphite notes that weave through the aromas and flavors. Bold and serious, the palate delivers density and texture with concentrated blackberry, cedar and cloves, joined by mouth coating tannins. The rich profile is complemented by a splash of Petite Verdot, which lends depth and lovely floral notes, and Malbec, for a youthful pop and bright aromatics.

2012 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon

Dense and dark, our 2012 Platinum Reserve delivers signature elegance with serious poise and sophisticated grace. Blackberry, cassis and graphite merge with layers of caramel, roasted hazelnuts and black pepper. The nose has a soft, toasty openness that is followed by a burst of ripe fruit on the palate. Round, voluminous texture and mature tannins define this wine. 

Warm and dry, 2012 had ideal weather conditions that allowed the grapes to develop slowly over a long season. With no heat spikes and no rain, we were able to pick the fruit as each cluster reached perfect maturity. This gave the fruit a well-balanced freshness that translates to the glass.

2013 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon

Made from our finest Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, our 2013 Platinum is our purest, most intense and most seductively smooth red wine. Thoughtful decision making, from vineyard sourcing through winemaking, is reflected in the poise and polish of this incredibly dark and decadent wine. The grapes, picked at their peak, deliver deep layers of spiced plum, black cherry, blueberry and graphite, structured by mature tannins. Hints of cocoa and spice from French oak barrels cradle the intense fruit and grace the long finish

2014 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 was a beautiful, near-textbook vintage for the Napa Valley—along the lines of the recent outstanding vintages of 2012 and 2013. Although California’s drought brought another dry winter, the growing season started with a warm, dry spring and relatively early bud break. Summer temperatures remained mild and consistent, and grapes for the 2014 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested between September 15 and October 14. The overall outstanding quality and fruit characteristics in this vintage will make Bordeaux varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, the highlight of the season.

The Sterling Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon opens with dark fruit aromas of blackberry, bramble and mocha. The mountain fruit used in the blend gives the wine firm structure yet the juicy fruit core and plush mouthfeel make it seductive and approachable. The concentrated flavors of berries and black plum are balanced by oak spice, fine tannins and good acidity, leaving a long, flavorful finish.