That bottle… wow.

We’ve never seen anything like it.

And what’s inside? We’ve tasted similarly powerful and complex 100% Cabernets. The kind that usually pushes $200 per bottle.

And actually, at the $175 release price, this certainly fits that mold. Plus, as Sterling says on their website it was “built to stand proudly alongside Napa’s finest…” But there’s just one thing wrong here…

For our price… what cult wine compares to the value?? So, the only question is really - why not?! Why shouldn’t you treat yourself to a little luxury today?

Sterling Vineyards has been around since 1964, and they pulled out all the stops with this one. Chosen by winemaker Harry Hansen, who picked the top barrels from the cellar to make this blend and named it after one of the rarest elements on the planet. He used 93% new French Oak from the finest coopers like Gamba and Taransaud. No expense was spared in making this wine and it shows.

Previous vintages earned all the way to a well-deserved, whopping 97 points. This one? So far a 96 from James Suckling and a 95+ from the Wine Advocate. With descriptions like “wonderfully creamy… crazy packaging… serious wine!” and “charges out of the glass with super intense notes of blackcurrant cordial, Black Forest cake, and blueberry pie” you know what you’re getting into. That description is spot on, but we might add some chocolate-covered blueberries, cloves, crème de cassis, and creamy latte to the notes. No doubt, this flashes with opulence inside and out. We loved the prolific richness and extravagant in your face style. The head-spinning complexity. It’s ALL THAT. And more…

Because, the Emmy goes to? You, superstar, YOU! Per a press release, “For the sixth consecutive year, iconic Napa Valley winery Sterling Vineyards returns to television’s most anticipated night as the Official Wine of the 73rd Emmy® Awards Season.” Winners take home not only that famous statuette, but also a bottle of Iridium “to toast to their success, or save it in their cellar to enjoy during another special moment in life” because why? Life is too short for mediocrity!

Only a handful to go around to a lucky few.

96 Points – James Suckling

“A wonderfully focused and creamy texture to this red with blueberries, blackberries and cedar. Some chocolate. The tannin texture is superb, giving pure-silk pleasure. Such depth. Crazy packaging. Serious wine! Drink or hold as long as you like.”

95+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Iridium is deep garnet-purple in color. It charges out of the glass with super-intense notes of blackcurrant cordial, Black Forest cake and blueberry pie plus touches of chocolate mint, red roses, fragrant earth and cedar chest with a hint of pencil lead. Full-bodied, the palate is bursting with ripe, opulent black fruit preserves, framed by plush tannins, finishing very long with a spicy kick. Drink 2022-2042.”