The 1974 Cabernet Sauvignon from Sterling Vineyards, in Napa Valley,  scored 18 points on the Dionysian scale of 20. It cost $15 back then,  had 13% alcohol. It  was my son’s birth year wine. The 1974’s from California may prove to be the best wines ever made there. Dionysian Barry Lawrence tasted many 74’s and would have loved this 42 year old example.

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I have few 1974’s left, but I know they have held together. Sterling made one of the best of the vintage.

The wine still had good color, ruby-brick, tobacco and black cherry aromas and was as smooth as silk. It was decanted just prior to drinking and opened up more for an hour.  In vino veritas.