95 Points - JamesSuckling.com
"This small-production wine shows a very fine tannin texture that gives definition and brightness. There are lavender and violet aromas and flavors to the dark fruits. Full-bodied, poised and focused. Knows who it is. Drink in 2020." - James Suckling, May 2018
94 Points - Wine Advocate
"Coming from a single vineyard in Yountville, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard has a very deep garnet-purple color and pronounced nose of crème de cassis, black forest cake and dried mulberries with hints of espresso, cinnamon stick, cardamom, pencil shavings and tar. Full-bodied, big, richly fruited and packed with black berry preserves flavors, it has a firm, chewy backbone and a very long, spice-driven finish." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, October 2017
Tasting Notes
The 2014 Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is an opulent style wine with vivid aromas of blackberry, cassis and mulberry fruit. The nose leads to an intense flavor profile offering bright juicy fruit, mocha and baking spice. This wine is dense with smooth, well-integrated tannins and a good line of acidity which leaves the wine lingering on the finish.
Vineyard Notes
This single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the meticulously farmed Sleeping Lady Vineyard located in the Yountville AVA of the Napa Valley. The Sleeping Lady Vineyard, on the west bench of Yountville sitting up against the Mayacamas Mountains, is named for the distinctive foothills behind the property that look like a woman laying on her side. The pristine vineyard of just over 50 acres has six clones of Cabernet Sauvignon grown on it; Sterling Vineyards winemaker Harry Hansen works with three of these clones (2, 22 and 30).
Vintage Notes
2014 was a beautiful vintage for the Napa Valley along the lines of the recent outstanding vintages of 2012 and 2013. Although California’s continued 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 with even, warm temperatures throughout. The overall quality and expressive fruit characteristics make this an outstanding vintage.
Grapes for the 2014 Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested on October 13 and 14.
Winemaking
After being hand-harvested and hand-sorted upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were fermented on the skins for 12 to 20 days. The wine was then gently pressed, racked and aged for 19 months in 100% French oak (90% new). Winemaker Harry Hansen made just 10 barrels of this beautifully expressive Cabernet Sauvignon.