Sterling Organic Cabernet Sauvignon

Sterling Organic Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blend bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Sterling Vineyards using certified organic grapes and minimal-intervention winemaking, this expression emphasizes vineyard purity through traditional techniques including extended maceration and frequent pump-overs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Style: Organic Red Blend  |  Winery: Sterling Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Sterling Vineyards, founded in 1964 in Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley, draws fruit for this bottling from vineyards spanning the cool southern Carneros region near San Pablo Bay to the rugged benchlands near the winery's Calistoga home. The blend comprises 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. Winemaking relies on extended maceration and frequent pump-overs to coax maximum aroma and flavor from organically grown fruit, translating what the winery describes as "the purity of the vineyard into the glass" with as little manipulation as possible.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep purple in the glass, the nose leads with ripe black fruit — blackberry and currant — lifted by toasty oak and subtle vanilla. There is an underlying sense of dark plum that deepens as the wine opens.

Taste: The palate enters with concentrated blackberry and currant, moving through a mid-palate layered with plum and gentle oak spice. Well-integrated tannins provide structure without harshness, while lively acidity keeps the fruit focused and bright.

Finish: Lengthy and smooth, the finish carries ripe dark fruit flavors through polished tannins that taper gradually. A fine balance between fruit weight and acid freshness lingers well after the last sip.

How to Drink Sterling Organic Cab

Pour it into a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at cellar temperature — around 60–65°F — and let it breathe for 20 to 30 minutes; the extended maceration in production means the tannins soften nicely with a little air, making it an excellent neat sipper alongside a meal.

• Classic Cabernet Sangria: The ripe dark-fruit profile stands up to citrus and brandy without losing its identity.
• Red Wine Reduction (cooking): The concentrated blackberry and plum flavors reduce into a rich, savory pan sauce for steaks or lamb.
• Kalimotxo: At 13% ABV the wine blends smoothly with cola for a casual summer refresher that retains its fruit backbone.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairing with grilled red meats
• Introducing organic wine to a Napa Valley Cabernet fan
• A host gift for environmentally conscious wine drinkers
• Building an organic-focused cellar at a Napa Valley entry point

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sterling Organic Cab taste like? It delivers concentrated blackberry, currant, and plum flavors supported by well-integrated tannins, toasty oak, and lively acidity. The overall impression is smooth and polished with a lengthy dark-fruit finish.

How does Sterling Organic Cab compare to Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are California organic Cabernets, but Sterling sources its fruit from Napa Valley while Bonterra draws primarily from Mendocino County, which typically yields a lighter, more herbaceous style. Sterling's Napa Valley fruit and Bordeaux-style blending — incorporating Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec — tend to produce a fuller, more structured wine.

Is Sterling Organic Cab good for sipping neat? Yes — its polished tannins and balanced acidity make it approachable on its own, especially after 20 to 30 minutes of aeration in a wide-bowled glass.

Where is Sterling Organic Cab made? It is produced by Sterling Vineyards, headquartered in Calistoga in the northern reaches of Napa Valley, California. The grapes are sourced from organic vineyards spanning Napa Valley's diverse sub-regions, from Carneros in the south to the benchlands near Calistoga.

What foods pair well with Sterling Organic Cab? Grilled ribeye steak benefits from the wine's tannin structure cutting through the fat. Braised lamb shanks echo the plum and dark-fruit notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the toasty oak character. Portobello mushroom burgers match the wine's earthy undertone, and dark-chocolate desserts mirror its ripe berry depth.

What sizes does Sterling Organic Cab come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Sterling Organic Cab worth the price? It positions as an entry-to-mid-tier organic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which places it in a competitive value bracket given that Napa fruit — especially certified organic — commands a premium over many other California appellations.

Why Sterling Organic Cab?

Organic certification in Napa Valley remains relatively uncommon among large-scale producers, making this bottling a notable entry from a well-established winery. The five-grape Bordeaux-style blend adds complexity that many single-varietal organic Cabernets in this price tier do not offer. Extended maceration and frequent pump-overs extract depth from the organic fruit without relying on heavy-handed winemaking, resulting in a wine that foregrounds vineyard character. For drinkers seeking a Napa Valley Cabernet with a genuine organic pedigree and a classic dark-fruit profile, Sterling's expression delivers substance backed by decades of Napa Valley winemaking experience.