Palate
The Sterling West Coast Red Blend is focused, contemporary and a wine that enhances great conversation. Lush strawberry and generous cherry flavors lead into silky and smooth tannins.
Growing Conditions
2016 was another brilliant growing season for most of California, although prolonged drought conditions continued resulting in lower yields in the vineyards. The conditions throughout the growing season were consistent, even and warm with few unbearable, damaging heat spikes. California did experience a wet October, but most grapes were already picked and safely in the winery before the rains began. Overall, the quality and fruit characteristics in this vintage were very good with well-developed flavor profiles and excellent color development.
Winemaking
The grapes were picked at optimum ripeness and sent directly to the winery. Once in the winery, the grapes were cold soaked for two days followed by fermentation. The different varieties and lots were kept separate through the fermentation process and only came together at the final stage when the winemaker assembled the final blend before bottling. The wine was aged for ten months in a combination of French and American oak to integrate flavors and soften tannins. The final blend includes Petite Sirah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Aging
The wine was aged for ten months in a combination of French and American oak.
