Just a fantastic bottle of old school, “they don’t make 'em like this anymore” Cabernet. It starts out a touch astringent with a whiff of green pepper amidst savoury earthy, tobacco and pencil lead notes, but with some air the green elements fade into the background and the red fruit here picks up in intensity and depth. It’s in a great place right now with the fruit and developed tertiary flavours all coming together very seamlessly on the nose and palate, and a bright acid spine keeping it very fresh and lively, with a lightness of touch on the palate (only 12.5% alcohol!) that’s unlike anything I would expect to find in modern Bordeaux or Californian Cabernet. So elegant and a real treat to drink. Thanks Mike.
Great wine made by Ric Forman.
These use to be available on wine bid for sub $30.
1973 Chappellet by a young Philip Togni was a masterpiece.
Indeed, had that for my 40th b-day from a magnum.
Salil, was this the regular, or the Reserve? I opened the Reserve with Gilman and others a few years ago and it was lovely, but maybe starting to dry out on the back a little. One bottle remaining which I should probably drink up soon.
Nathan, Gilman opened up the '73 Chappellet to go along with the Sterling I had brought. Showed classic Togni character…hard as hell! It definitely needed more decant time than we gave it, but it was Barolo-like with it’s tough and drying structure.
Ric made some sterling wines in the 70s… ![[wink.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/04707e6a7bbb03e0153e349d8a9270d30e1e9525.gif "wink"){kind=small}
TTT
Brad, this was the regular. Kept getting better with air, and the last few sips were the best.
Nice note Salil.
Forman’s 70s Sterlings are timeless. Merlot still drinking amazingly well too.
I have had the 74 Sterling twice in recent years. Wonderful wine.