Intensely inky and richly colored, the wine has inviting aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry and boysenberry, accented with caramel and oak spice. Ripe and round, with silky tannins and a pleasing, approachable mouthfeel. A lingering, lasting and quite memorable finish sets the wine apart and is uniquely pleasing. Wonderful to pair with roasted meats, pastas with rich sauces and bold cheeses.
Specs
Vintage: 2014
Varietals: 93% Petite Sirah from Kenefick Ranch (Calistoga), 2% Syrah from Abba Vineyard (Mokelumne River in Lodi), 5% Other
Oak Regime: Approximately 15 months in 100% French oak; 50% new
Alcohol: 14.9%
pH: 3.57
Total Acidity: 5.7 g/L
2014 Sterling Vineyards Lodi Syrah
Tasting Notes
The 2014 Mokelumne River Lodi Syrah opens with dark blue fruit interwoven with enticing roasted meat and spice notes. The saturating dark blue fruit aromatic impression persists on to the palate with full-bodied, silky tannins and well-integrated spices and herbal notes that linger through the savory finish. Full of rustic charm and subtle grace, this Syrah is a perfect companion to grilled pork chops and other hearty comfort food.
Specs
Vintage: 2014
Varietals: 91% Syrah from Abba Vineyard (Mokelumne River in Lodi), 5% Sangiovese from Solari Ranch (Calistoga), 2% Syrah from Winery Lake Vineyard (Carneros Napa), 2% Other
Oak Regime: Approximately 15 months in 93% French oak & 7% American oak; 44% new
Alcohol: 14.9%
pH: 3.61
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
Included in the Box
4-bottles:
2x 2014 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Petite Sirah
2x 2014 Sterling Vineyards Lodi Syrah
Case:
6x 2014 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Petite Sirah
Internationally known, Sterling Vineyards is one of the most visited wineries in Napa Valley. Modeled after a Greek monastery, the winery sits 300 feet above the valley floor where visitors take an aerial tram to access the top quality Bordeaux varietals and majestic 360 degree views of Napa Valley.
Sterling Vineyards was founded in 1964 by Sir Peter Newton, a British Knight and Oxford scholar. With a fondness for Bordeaux varietals, Sir Newton realized the potential in Calistoga, Napa Valley for growing excellent Merlot and bottled the first single varietal Merlot in 1969. Sterling Vineyards quickly put Napa on the map for creating top quality wines.
The winery itself is an architectural icon in Napa Valley. Modeled after a Greek monastery, Sterling Vineyards was the first winery ever built with the visitor in mind and the only winery in the world with an aerial tram. Today, Sterling is one of the most visited wineries in Napa Valley and one of the largest landowners in Napa, which provides immense opportunity for crafting world-class wines.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014 Sterling Vineyards Syrah & Petite Sirah - $30 = 9.99%
@chipgreen I want to thank the “pricers” whomever they may be, for making the 4-pack seem like an acceptable way to jump into this. Once the “penalty” goes to 25-30% it really rules that out for me. (I know some have said you can also look at it as a better case-discount, but still, the difference is the same).
Today’s wines here do sound good, and I want to try them, but maybe not to the point where I’d feel like committing to a full case. (and no casemates in my area, unfortunately).
In particular the PS sounds interesting; hoping we get a PS rat joining in later.
Yay for getting a chance to Lab Rat again! I got to taste the Syrah this time around. I got the bottle later in the evening so I put it in the fridge to try the next day. My wine fridge is set at 53 degrees so I let is sit in the glass for a bit to warm up to 60-ish before drinking.
The color is a deep, inky plum that I was not expecting. First sniff was a little musty (not necessarily in a bad way) with some berry coming way at the end. This wine is very full bodied and dry, but it does not suck all of the liquid from your tongue. It leaves just enough moisture behind prevent your tongue from sticking to the roof your mouth.
I tasted lots of smoke, some chocolate and a little sour berry on the first sips. As I kept drinking, the flavors started to mellow and I got more berry flavor and something that was almost nutty.
I had this wine on the first day with a sausage and truffle pasta and a charcuterie plate the second day. This wine tasted the best when paired with food, I didn’t really taste much sweetness until I had it with my food and I found myself wishing I had a nice steak to eat it with.
Overall, I liked this wine. It is not an easy sipper and it was heavier than most other Syrah’s I have tried, but that is definitely what recommends it. This is the kind of wine you drink with a big hunk of meat next to somebody’s fireplace (I don’t have one, but I’d imagine it’d be fantastic).
@scenicready OK, the “big hunk of meat” pushed me over the edge. I have a 1-1/4 lb NY prime strip thawing out right now, an another to thaw once the juice arrives.
TANGENTIALLY RELATED FACT to help you make conversation over this wine: Sterling,Michigan got listed 2X. A typo for sure but that would tie us with Wisconsin
Hello again y’all, and welcome to my review. As someone who has only gotten a few cheap Rieslings in the past, I was shocked to find something so fancy arrive in my mailbox. Must’ve been a mixup at Casemates HQ. Nevertheless, I am honored and will try my best, since I do love me a nice Sirah, and any excuse to fire up the grill and do a pairing.
Visuals:
Wine is darkkkkk. Deep purple. Inky is a very fair way to describe it.
Odor:
Think of every black and dark blue fruit you’ve ever had mashed together in a leather bowl and you’ve basically got it. Smells great, can’t wait.
Flavor:
Lightly acidic but hardly noticeable with everything else going on. I first noticed earthy and smokey flavors and all those aforementioned black fruits like plum or blackberry. Leaves a taste of dark chocolate and maybe some vanilla lingering. really excited to try this with some real gamey, smokey meats.
So now we just finished dinner and I’m updating yet again. Had another couple over and served this (in exchange for opinions) with some venison backstraps and tenderloin I put on the smoker from the deep freeze. They brought the sides. What a combo. This wine belongs with a smoked meat, and the gamier the better. If that’s not your thing I’m sure red meat would suffice but you’re wrong and missing out. Highly recommend, and from what I’ve seen online this is a stellar price point on their best vintage. Nicest wine I’ve ever done Lab Ratted, and even tho I’m generally a Cab guy I feel inspired to be more adventurous with my venison pairings since I have like 80lbs left to consume and this worked so well.
Thanks, Casemates! and happy shopping, Casemateys!
The Petit Sirah description says that 5% of the mix is “other”. The Syrah says 2%. What other grapes were mixed? While the percentage is low, 5% is not insignificant. Just curious!
@farfromfunny - *“This wine belongs with a smoked meat, and the gamier the better.”
That did it for me, should have skipped the LabRat… poor-discordant-weasel
2014 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Petite Sirah
Tasting Notes
Specs
Oak Regime: Approximately 15 months in 100% French oak; 50% new
2014 Sterling Vineyards Lodi Syrah
Tasting Notes
Specs
Included in the Box
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $570/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 1 - Tuesday, Mar 2
Sterling Vineyards Syrah & Petite Sirah
4 bottles for $99.99 $25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $269.99 $22.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2014 Sterling Vineyards Petite Sirah
2014 Sterling Vineyards Syrah
Too bad I’m not a rat for this one! This would be a fun tasting given the vineyards!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014 Sterling Vineyards Syrah & Petite Sirah - $30 = 9.99%
@chipgreen I want to thank the “pricers” whomever they may be, for making the 4-pack seem like an acceptable way to jump into this. Once the “penalty” goes to 25-30% it really rules that out for me. (I know some have said you can also look at it as a better case-discount, but still, the difference is the same).
Today’s wines here do sound good, and I want to try them, but maybe not to the point where I’d feel like committing to a full case. (and no casemates in my area, unfortunately).
In particular the PS sounds interesting; hoping we get a PS rat joining in later.
2014 Lodi Syrah
Yay for getting a chance to Lab Rat again! I got to taste the Syrah this time around. I got the bottle later in the evening so I put it in the fridge to try the next day. My wine fridge is set at 53 degrees so I let is sit in the glass for a bit to warm up to 60-ish before drinking.
The color is a deep, inky plum that I was not expecting. First sniff was a little musty (not necessarily in a bad way) with some berry coming way at the end. This wine is very full bodied and dry, but it does not suck all of the liquid from your tongue. It leaves just enough moisture behind prevent your tongue from sticking to the roof your mouth.
I tasted lots of smoke, some chocolate and a little sour berry on the first sips. As I kept drinking, the flavors started to mellow and I got more berry flavor and something that was almost nutty.
I had this wine on the first day with a sausage and truffle pasta and a charcuterie plate the second day. This wine tasted the best when paired with food, I didn’t really taste much sweetness until I had it with my food and I found myself wishing I had a nice steak to eat it with.
Overall, I liked this wine. It is not an easy sipper and it was heavier than most other Syrah’s I have tried, but that is definitely what recommends it. This is the kind of wine you drink with a big hunk of meat next to somebody’s fireplace (I don’t have one, but I’d imagine it’d be fantastic).
@scenicready Thank you for the report
@scenicready OK, the “big hunk of meat” pushed me over the edge. I have a 1-1/4 lb NY prime strip thawing out right now, an another to thaw once the juice arrives.
/giphy crafty-unforgiving-healer
TANGENTIALLY RELATED FACT to help you make conversation over this wine: Sterling,Michigan got listed 2X. A typo for sure but that would tie us with Wisconsin
@ttboy23 Actually there are THREE in Michigan, if this counts, lol…Sterling, Sterling Heights and Mt. Sterling!
@ttboy23 correction: Mount Sterling is in Ohio! I’ve been there many times, my bad.
2014 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Petite Sirah
Hello again y’all, and welcome to my review. As someone who has only gotten a few cheap Rieslings in the past, I was shocked to find something so fancy arrive in my mailbox. Must’ve been a mixup at Casemates HQ. Nevertheless, I am honored and will try my best, since I do love me a nice Sirah, and any excuse to fire up the grill and do a pairing.
Visuals:
Wine is darkkkkk. Deep purple. Inky is a very fair way to describe it.
Odor:
Think of every black and dark blue fruit you’ve ever had mashed together in a leather bowl and you’ve basically got it. Smells great, can’t wait.
Flavor:
Lightly acidic but hardly noticeable with everything else going on. I first noticed earthy and smokey flavors and all those aforementioned black fruits like plum or blackberry. Leaves a taste of dark chocolate and maybe some vanilla lingering. really excited to try this with some real gamey, smokey meats.
So now we just finished dinner and I’m updating yet again. Had another couple over and served this (in exchange for opinions) with some venison backstraps and tenderloin I put on the smoker from the deep freeze. They brought the sides. What a combo. This wine belongs with a smoked meat, and the gamier the better. If that’s not your thing I’m sure red meat would suffice but you’re wrong and missing out. Highly recommend, and from what I’ve seen online this is a stellar price point on their best vintage. Nicest wine I’ve ever done Lab Ratted, and even tho I’m generally a Cab guy I feel inspired to be more adventurous with my venison pairings since I have like 80lbs left to consume and this worked so well.
Thanks, Casemates! and happy shopping, Casemateys!
@farfromfunny Syrah, or Petite Sirah?
@farfromfunny @FritzCat
I assumed with the spelling Sirah, it was the Petite.
@farfromfunny thank you for reviewing.
/giphy relaxing thick ramen
At this point casemates needs to come with an addiction warning…
@pete0744 some of us are way past the “warning” stage.
@pete0744 @pmarin Said, after coming to in the corner of his cellar, laying on the pointy end of a corkscrew.
@pete0744 @pmarin
Yup. Hubs said we need to stop buying and drink down the current stock. Three weeks and six cases later…
The Petit Sirah description says that 5% of the mix is “other”. The Syrah says 2%. What other grapes were mixed? While the percentage is low, 5% is not insignificant. Just curious!
@farfromfunny - *“This wine belongs with a smoked meat, and the gamier the better.”
That did it for me, should have skipped the LabRat…
poor-discordant-weasel