Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, bottled at 14.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2018 vintage earned 93 points from James Suckling, who praised its depth of ripe fruit and sweet spice, cementing this reserve-tier bottling as one of Sterling Vineyards' flagship expressions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.9%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Reserve Tier  |  Winery: Sterling Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Sterling Vineyards sits high above the town of Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley, where the winery has produced Cabernet Sauvignon since its founding in 1964. The Reserve bottling draws fruit from four distinct sub-appellations — Diamond Mountain, Calistoga, Yountville, and Mt. Veeder — each contributing different structural elements to the final blend. At Sterling's renovated reserve winery, each vineyard lot is fermented and aged separately for 16 to 18 months in a combination of French, European, and American oak barrels before the winemaking team selects the most expressive barrels for the final cuvée.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated blackcurrant and dark plum, followed by layers of espresso, cocoa, and a thread of dried sage. Cedar and toasty oak emerge with time in the glass, adding complexity to the fruit-driven bouquet.

Taste: The entry is creamy and full-bodied, immediately coating the palate with blueberry, blackberry, and briar fruit. At mid-palate, roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes develop alongside a savory earthiness. Ground spice and sweet herbs build through the peak, giving the wine an indulgent, layered density.

Finish: Silky, seamless tannins carry the fruit through a long, polished finish. Walnut undertones and a lingering touch of milk chocolate close out the wine with warmth and refinement.

How to Drink Sterling Reserve

This reserve Cabernet is best served at 60–65°F in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass; decanting for 30 to 45 minutes opens the layered aromatics considerably. Its concentrated structure also makes it a strong candidate for red-wine cocktails: a Cabernet Sangria benefits from the wine's dark berry intensity; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) takes on unexpected depth with a reserve-quality base; and a New York Sour uses the wine as a float where its deep color and fruit richness create striking visual and flavor contrast.

Best For

• Gifting a Napa Valley wine enthusiast on a milestone occasion
• Pairing with a prime-cut steak dinner at home
• Building a vertical collection of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon vintages
• Serving as the centerpiece red at a dinner party with serious wine drinkers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sterling Reserve taste like? Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon delivers concentrated dark fruit — blackberry, blueberry, and plum — layered with espresso, dark chocolate, and savory spice. Velvety tannins and a creamy texture give it a full-bodied, polished character.

How does Sterling Reserve compare to Cakebread Cellars Napa Cabernet? Both are 100% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, but Sterling Reserve draws from four distinct AVAs (Diamond Mountain, Calistoga, Yountville, Mt. Veeder) for structural complexity, while Cakebread sources primarily from benchland and hillside sites closer to Rutherford. Sterling Reserve tends toward richer dark fruit and chocolate tones, whereas Cakebread typically emphasizes brighter cassis and herbal lift.

Is Sterling Reserve good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its silky tannin structure, layered aromatics, and long finish make it a rewarding wine to drink neat, especially after 30 to 45 minutes of decanting.

Where is Sterling Reserve made? Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is produced at Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga, at the northern end of Napa Valley, California. The fruit is sourced from estate and contracted vineyards across the Diamond Mountain, Calistoga, Yountville, and Mt. Veeder appellations.

What foods pair well with Sterling Reserve? Grilled ribeye steak highlights the wine's dark fruit and oak spice. Braised short ribs match its full body and savory depth. Aged Gouda or Gruyère echo its nutty, chocolate undertones. Mushroom risotto complements the earthy, coffee-laced mid-palate. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cocoa notes on the finish.

What sizes does Sterling Reserve come in? Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is most widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Sterling Reserve worth the price? Sterling Reserve positions as a mid-premium Napa Valley Cabernet, sitting above the winery's appellation-level bottling but below single-vineyard cult wines. With 93 points from James Suckling and fruit sourced from four respected AVAs, it delivers strong quality relative to its tier.

Why Sterling Reserve?

What separates this bottling from the broader Sterling lineup is the barrel-selection process: every lot stays isolated through 16 to 18 months of aging, and only the most expressive barrels across three oak origins make the final cut. The multi-AVA sourcing — blending mountain fruit from Diamond Mountain and Mt. Veeder with valley-floor lots from Yountville and Calistoga — creates a structural complexity that single-source Napa Cabernets at this price rarely achieve. A 93-point score from James Suckling on the 2018 vintage and consistent 92-point ratings on subsequent releases confirm that the reserve program delivers at a high level year over year. For drinkers who want serious Napa Cabernet without entering the four-figure cult-wine arena, this expression represents one of Sterling Vineyards' most compelling arguments.