1986 Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Given the performance of the regular cuvee, it would be logical to assume that the Reserve would be superior ... right? No way. The 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve possesses a young, medium dark ruby color with only light pink at the center. The wine's personality is understated, with high tannin and sharp acidity. This elegant, wimpish, and restrained wine is less tasty and interesting than the regular bottling. It is more compressed and structured, and obviously meant to be longer-lived, but it does not have the charm or joy of the regular bottling ... now figure that one out. It is unlikely this wine will benefit from further cellaring. The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.