Sterling 99 Napa Valley Cab

[MontereyRick]

While I lack the ability to break down a bottle of wine in the sophisticated manner of the experts (my breakdowns sound more like Homer Simpson), I had a bottle of Sterling 99 Cab the other night right next to a bottle of 99 Simi Alexander Valley Cab (which I'd recently bought a case of) and actually liked the Sterling a little better.

As I'd envision Homer critiquing the Sterling:
"Hmmmmmm.....goooood grape"

Have any of you board experts given your opinion of the Sterling 99 Napa Valley Cab?

[Innkeeper]

Understand from other posts here and elsewhere that both are drinking well now, and will mature over the next ten years.

[newsguy]

rick,

hotwine talked about the sterling on this thread:

http://www.wines.com/ubb2/Forum2/HTML/000478.html

and here's what the spectator had to say about it:

"1999 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley: Combines ripe, rich, complex fruit with a sense of elegance and grace. The core flavors of currant, black cherry, plum and spice are sharply focused, with supple, well-integrated tannins. Buy a case at this price. Drink now through 2009. 80,000 cases made. 88 Points."

i bought a bottle of the simi on a strong recommendation from Winoweenie and am gonna pop it tomorrow night w/ a grilled NY strip. will have to try the sterling as well.

btw, i liked homer's tasting notes on the sterling. feel free to jump in yourself. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 12-04-2002).]

[winoweenie]

Hi Rick. You're looking at 2 different cabs. The Sterling Napa is more accessablr than the Simi, costs more and will mature 2-3 years earlier. Sonomas' Alex Valley is cooler and normally makes wines that require more time than the Napa floor juice. I think both are nicely structured bottles that will come around and make nice
drinking for many years.I consider the Simi at under 20 to be a best buy. WW

[wondersofwine]

I have a single bottle of the Sterling but haven't opened it yet. I may go ahead and do so soon and then buy additional for aging.

[sharktanq]

Had the 99 Sterling Napa Valley just the other day. Definately needs to lay down a few years more...