The Merlot was a pleasant surprise. The notes over at Cellar Tracker are all over the place, from "jammy" to "not enough fruit". There are some serious "prejudices" expressed about Sterling, which is a winery I am not all that familiar with but have always found decent.
I found a pleasantly drinkable Merlot with a really nice and rather firm structure, some tannins still present, nice plum and red cherry fruit with very nice freshness and some acid. The freshness includes a hint of green herbs that I liked. Beautiful licorice/anise notes on the wine as well. A nice merlot.
The 1982 Souza Reserva Port was delicious. Not heavy or syrupy or cloying at all, this was lighter in color and mouthfeel with elegant carmalized fruit and great acid balance. Don't know a lot about port, but this was very enjoyable to me! The lightness and elegance is what sold me.