TN: '97 Sterling Pinot Noir

[Van The Man]

1997 Sterling Pinot Noir, Sterling Collections; Napa Valley (CA, US) - $18.00

This is not the Sterling Winery Lake Pinot Noir, rather, it is a “Sterling Collections” wine available to club members and at the winery only. If I remember the press release properly, this was the first such effort for a multi sourced “Napa” Pinot for the winery.

Very rich and deeply colored ruby-magenta, almost full body, barely translucent. Rich nose with cherry, mulberry and spice flanked with some leather, herbs and a hint of smoke. On the palate, big and full up front. Initially, the wine turned bitter mid palate and finished smooth but after 2 hours, it smoothed out nicely. Really, a full and big wine with plenty of stuffing and structure to carry in a cellar for 5 to 7 years. Nice wine although I like the more delicate and intriguing layers of a Russian River Pinot. Those who prefer less oak as opposed to more would find this wine to be somewhat over-vinified. The winemakers probably tried just a little too hard with this one...