Diamond Creek Tasting at Wine Watch 02-23-12
Only by wine one's heart is lit,
only a poem calms a soul that's torn.
You'd understand me, Tao Qian.
I wish a little sooner I was born!
Tao Yuan-ming
I just looked at the schedule for next week and realized- I only have one event planned??? What was I thinking?? I am starting to go through withdraws already just thinking about the valuable missed drinking opportunities, so I started looking around the store at wines that we have a good supply of depth and breadth of selection. We have an amazing array of one of the original cult wines of the Napa Valley, Diamond Creek Winery and we have a selection of their wines going back to the early 1990's, in magnum and in 3 liter format!!
The late Al Brounstein was one of the pioneers of the concept of terroir in Napa Valley. His concept of dividing his vineyard into four sites based on the differences in the soils and the climactic conditions was not even a thought on most wine producer’s minds in 1968 when Al founded Diamond Creek Winery.
Diamond Creek Winery was also one of the first collectible wines from Napa with many of the California wine collectors of the 1980's and 1990's stashing these wines away in their cellar with the idea that they needed a decade or two before they would be ready to drink. In the old days they used to make wine with the intention of having around 12-13% alcohol because that was the model of Bordeaux, the area where many of the first great Cabernet Sauvignon's of Napa were fashioned after. This meant that in Napa Valley where it is warmer than in Bordeaux the grapes a lot of times were not phenollicallyripe at 23 brix, the level of sugar needed to make a wine at around 13% alcohol. So many of the wines from the 1970's and 1980's from California had this slightly green hint to the tannins and many people would say that they just needed time in the cellar for the tannins to mellow out. Diamond Creek wines are an example of wines that need a very long time to really show their stuff, typically 15+ years in an excellent vintage like 1994 or 1995.
These wines are some of the most unique in all of Napa and although they have changed the style of the new wines to reach the new world critics these old wines from this landmark winery are stunning when they are fully mature. We have all four of the single vineyard wines from Diamond Creek winery on the table this evening including two vintages of the ultra rare Lake Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, this 1992 is one of the greatest old Cabernet Sauvignon that I have ever tasted from Napa. Wine Watch Catering's Toni Lampasone will be making a few courses to accompany these tasting wines and the fee for this event is less that the cost of a single bottle of Diamond Creek! $95 + Tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.
Diamond Creek Wine Tasting at Wine Watch
Thursday, February 23rd
7pm
Tasting Line-up:
1990 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyard Napa
Price: $375.00 Sale $330
Quantity in Stock: 2
(92 Points) Graceful and harmonious, with complex spice, currant, cedar and anise flavors. Long and lingering, it has years to go and should start softening by 2000.--Diamond Creek vertical. Best from 2004 through 2010. 117 cases made. –JL Wine Spectator Issue: Jun 15, 1998
1992 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyard Napa
Price: $325.00 Sale $286
Quantity in Stock: 3
This is one of the best old California wines that I have ever tasted. I can still remember the wine and the event that it was served at a "Black and Becker" wine tasting. These Two collectors used to put on a tasting for their good friends every year and open only the finest wines, including rarities like this Lake with only 4 barrels produced!!
1994 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 5
(92-95 points) All three 1994s are backward, well-built, tannic wines meant to last for two decades or more. I suspect they will be among the least flattering wines to taste when released. The most impressively-endowed wine of the three is the 1994 Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is opaque purple. The wine offers a glorious display of blackcurrant, plum, and blueberry fruit gently infused with toasty oak. The roasted, smoky, richness of this wine is immediately apparent when it hits the palate. There are layers of ripe, unctuously-textured fruit, full body, and hard hitting tannin in the finish. It is backward, rich, and extremely impressive. As a fan of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignons in the seventies and early eighties, I have frequently detailed my lack of enthusiasm for vintages after 1984. For that reason, I am happy to report that barrel samples of Diamond Creek's 1994s look to be the most reassuringly fine examples of this estate's Cabernets that I have tasted since 1984. Let's hope they put the wines into the bottle naturally, without excessive fining or filtering. Certainly the raw materials are very impressive. Wine Advocate # 104 Apr 1996
1994 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 3
(92-95 points) All three 1994s are backward, well-built, tannic wines meant to last for two decades or more. I suspect they will be among the least flattering wines to taste when released. The most impressively-endowed wine of the three is the 1994 Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is opaque purple. The wine offers a glorious display of blackcurrant, plum, and blueberry fruit gently infused with toasty oak. The roasted, smoky, richness of this wine is immediately apparent when it hits the palate. There are layers of ripe, unctuously-textured fruit, full body, and hard hitting tannin in the finish. It is backward, rich, and extremely impressive.
As a fan of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignons in the seventies and early eighties, I have frequently detailed my lack of enthusiasm for vintages after 1984. For that reason, I am happy to report that barrel samples of Diamond Creek's 1994s look to be the most reassuringly fine examples of this estate's Cabernets that I have tasted since 1984. Let's hope they put the wines into the bottle naturally, without excessive fining or filtering. Certainly the raw materials are very impressive. Wine Advocate # 104 Apr 1996
1994 Diamond Creek Cabernet Gravelly Meadow Napa MAGNUM
Price: $284.00 Sale $249.92
Quantity in Stock: 1
(92-95 points) All three 1994s are backward, well-built, tannic wines meant to last for two decades or more. I suspect they will be among the least flattering wines to taste when released. The most impressively-endowed wine of the three is the 1994 Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is opaque purple. The wine offers a glorious display of blackcurrant, plum, and blueberry fruit gently infused with toasty oak. The roasted, smoky, richness of this wine is immediately apparent when it hits the palate. There are layers of ripe, unctuously-textured fruit, full body, and hard hitting tannin in the finish. It is backward, rich, and extremely impressive.
As a fan of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignons in the seventies and early eighties, I have frequently detailed my lack of enthusiasm for vintages after 1984. For that reason, I am happy to report that barrel samples of Diamond Creek's 1994s look to be the most reassuringly fine examples of this estate's Cabernets that I have tasted since 1984. Let's hope they put the wines into the bottle naturally, without excessive fining or filtering. Certainly the raw materials are very impressive. Wine Advocate # 104 Apr 1996
1995 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 16
(88 points) Lean and austere, with a mix of mineral, earth, red currant and briary, cedary notes. Firmly tannic, too, though the fruit pushes through on the finish, despite some considerable tannins. Needs decanting.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2014. 1,100 cases made. –JL Issue: Web Only - 2005
1995 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 16
(88 points) Very Bordeaux-like in its delivery and range of flavors, with a medley of fresh earth, currant, anise, sage and mineral. Fine balance; while the tannins are sturdy, they're integrated, making this a good bet for further cellaring.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2014. 900 cases made. –JL Issue: Web Only - 2005
1995 Diamond Creek Cabernet Gravelly Meadow Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 3
(87 points) Still tightly wound, with vibrant cherry, berry and vanilla notes, this wine definitely needs aeration. With a few minutes the flavors show more depth and complexity, and it's well-balanced, just austere.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2014. 560 cases made. –JL Issue: Web Only -- 2005
Menu
Selection of Cheeses - Reggiano parmesan, sharp cheddar,
Sesame Crusted Tuna served with Soba noodle salad and Miso beurre blanc
Crispy Pork Belly served with Cherry demi and sharp cheddar creamy polenta blistered brussel Sprouts
A bit about Diamond Creek Winery:
Founded in 1968, Diamond Creek is California's first exclusively Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyard. Visionary pioneer Al Brounstein defied modern conventions and planted Bordeaux varietals on secluded Diamond Mountain. The three vineyards produce a small amount of long-lived wines that are elegant with great depth and richness, honored and cherished by connoisseurs the world over. Taste the differences imparted to the wine by the distinct soils and micro-climates of Diamond Creek Vineyards.
Diamond Creek Vineyards, carved out of Diamond Mountain in Napa Valley California, has four distinctly different vineyards that yield equally singular Cabernet Sauvignons. Even though the vineyards of Diamond Creek - Gravelly Meadow (5 acres), Lake (¾ acre), Petit Verdot (1 acre), Red Rock Terrace (7 acres), and Volcanic Hill (8 acres) - share many personality traits... their individual characteristics are quite apparent to the taster especially after a few years in the cellar.
Diamond Creek’s mountain canyon creates a diverse weather pattern. Cooling afternoon breezes from the ocean on the West mix with the Napa Valley heat on the East. Diamond Creek meanders through the vineyards and separates them into three distinct soil types; volcanic, gravelly and red rock. Diamond Creek’s cabernets include a small amount of merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Typically, the harvest of Diamond Creek’s vineyards takes place over a month period. Because they want to pick each section of the vineyard at its optimum ripeness, they have as many as 15 to 20 different pickings. As the wines age in barrels they taste their development. If the barrels from one pick of a vineyard are particularly distinctive, they will bottle them separately as a microclimate wine.
Volcanic Hill is comprised of 8 acres of south facing hillside vineyard. It is the warmest of all Diamond Creeks micro-climates. The color of the soil is gray, and the consistency is that of fluffy, volcanic ash, originally deposited from the eruption of Mt. Konocti 8 million years ago. Volcanic Hill is the longest lived of Diamond Creeks wines. Volcanic Hill can describes these wines as "full bodied, loaded with intense ripe berry fruit, cassis, violets and a smoky richness, finishing with good length and firm tannins. The Volcanic Hill bottling includes a small amount of the extra-ordinary Petit Verdot grape.
Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of north facing vineyard. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible and earliest drinkable of all the Diamond Creek wines. Red Rock Terrace can be defined as having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors.
Diamond Creek’s second coolest micro-climate is their five-acre Gravelly Meadow vineyard. Originally a pre-historic river bed, this stony, gravelly soil drains rapidly and the vines struggle for moisture. Gravelly Meadow is their lowest yielding vineyard. The wines are described as earthy, cedary, jammy and ripe blackberry with a spicy expansive finish.
Lake is a tiny ¾ acre vineyard nestled by the lake is the coolest of their microclimates because of the cool Pacific breezes that travel down the Russian River corridor each afternoon. The grapes require a long hang time to ripen, and when they do ripen, they make an exceptional wine. In fact, Lake wines have been produced only ten times since 1972.
Diamond Creek Wines Available:
1990 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyrard Napa
Price: $375.00 Sale $330
Quantity in Stock: 2
(92 Points) Graceful and harmonious, with complex spice, currant, cedar and anise flavors. Long and lingering, it has years to go and should start softening by 2000.--Diamond Creek vertical. Best from 2004 through 2010. 117 cases made. –JL Wine Spectator Issue: Jun 15, 1998
1992 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyard Napa
Price: $325.00 Sale $286
Quantity in Stock: 3
1992 Diamond Creek Cabernet Gravelly Meadow MAGNUM
Price: $225.00 Sale $198
Quantity in Stock: 1
(86-89 points) After the less than inspirational efforts Diamond Creek has produced since 1985, the three cuvees of 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibit better richness, excellent purity, and deep ruby/purple colors. Nevertheless, for longtime fans of Diamond Creek Cabernet, weaned on the blockbuster, rich, occasionally rustic, but always individualistic and distinctive as well as super-complex and concentrated wines of the seventies and early eighties, there has clearly been a radical change in style. Although the wines may be more elegant and consistent, they are also less interesting. That is not to say they are not good, but anyone who has tasted Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, or 1978, as well as vintages through the early eighties, knows that when mature these wines are riveting examples of California Cabernet Sauvignon. There now appears to be an emphasis on a more sculptured, elegant style. Wine Advocate # 92 Apr 1994
1992 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace MAGNUM
Price: $225.00 Sale $198
Quantity in Stock: 1
(86-89 points) After the less than inspirational efforts Diamond Creek has produced since 1985, the three cuvees of 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibit better richness, excellent purity, and deep ruby/purple colors. Nevertheless, for longtime fans of Diamond Creek Cabernet, weaned on the blockbuster, rich, occasionally rustic, but always individualistic and distinctive as well as super-complex and concentrated wines of the seventies and early eighties, there has clearly been a radical change in style. Although the wines may be more elegant and consistent, they are also less interesting. That is not to say they are not good, but anyone who has tasted Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, or 1978, as well as vintages through the early eighties, knows that when mature these wines are riveting examples of California Cabernet Sauvignon. There now appears to be an emphasis on a more sculptured, elegant style. Wine Advocate # 92 Apr 1994
1992 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill MAGNUM
Price: $225.00 Sale $198
Quantity in Stock: 1
(86-89 points) After the less than inspirational efforts Diamond Creek has produced since 1985, the three cuvees of 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibit better richness, excellent purity, and deep ruby/purple colors. Nevertheless, for longtime fans of Diamond Creek Cabernet, weaned on the blockbuster, rich, occasionally rustic, but always individualistic and distinctive as well as super-complex and concentrated wines of the seventies and early eighties, there has clearly been a radical change in style. Although the wines may be more elegant and consistent, they are also less interesting. That is not to say they are not good, but anyone who has tasted Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, or 1978, as well as vintages through the early eighties, knows that when mature these wines are riveting examples of California Cabernet Sauvignon. There now appears to be an emphasis on a more sculptured, elegant style. Wine Advocate # 92 Apr 1994
1994 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa MAGNUM
Price: $284.00 Sale $250
Quantity in Stock: 1
1994 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 3
(92-95 points) All three 1994s are backward, well-built, tannic wines meant to last for two decades or more. I suspect they will be among the least flattering wines to taste when released. The most impressively-endowed wine of the three is the 1994 Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is opaque purple. The wine offers a glorious display of blackcurrant, plum, and blueberry fruit gently infused with toasty oak. The roasted, smoky, richness of this wine is immediately apparent when it hits the palate. There are layers of ripe, unctuously-textured fruit, full body, and hard hitting tannin in the finish. It is backward, rich, and extremely impressive.
As a fan of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignons in the seventies and early eighties, I have frequently detailed my lack of enthusiasm for vintages after 1984. For that reason, I am happy to report that barrel samples of Diamond Creek's 1994s look to be the most reassuringly fine examples of this estate's Cabernets that I have tasted since 1984. Let's hope they put the wines into the bottle naturally, without excessive fining or filtering. Certainly the raw materials are very impressive. Wine Advocate # 104 Apr 1996
1994 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa MAGNUM
Price: $284.00 Sale $250
Quantity in Stock: 1
(92-95 points) All three 1994s are backward, well-built, tannic wines meant to last for two decades or more. I suspect they will be among the least flattering wines to taste when released. The most impressively-endowed wine of the three is the 1994 Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is opaque purple. The wine offers a glorious display of blackcurrant, plum, and blueberry fruit gently infused with toasty oak. The roasted, smoky, richness of this wine is immediately apparent when it hits the palate. There are layers of ripe, unctuously-textured fruit, full body, and hard hitting tannin in the finish. It is backward, rich, and extremely impressive.
As a fan of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignons in the seventies and early eighties, I have frequently detailed my lack of enthusiasm for vintages after 1984. For that reason, I am happy to report that barrel samples of Diamond Creek's 1994s look to be the most reassuringly fine examples of this estate's Cabernets that I have tasted since 1984. Let's hope they put the wines into the bottle naturally, without excessive fining or filtering. Certainly the raw materials are very impressive. Wine Advocate # 104 Apr 1996
1994 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 5
(92-95 points) All three 1994s are backward, well-built, tannic wines meant to last for two decades or more. I suspect they will be among the least flattering wines to taste when released. The most impressively-endowed wine of the three is the 1994 Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is opaque purple. The wine offers a glorious display of blackcurrant, plum, and blueberry fruit gently infused with toasty oak. The roasted, smoky, richness of this wine is immediately apparent when it hits the palate. There are layers of ripe, unctuously-textured fruit, full body, and hard hitting tannin in the finish. It is backward, rich, and extremely impressive.
As a fan of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignons in the seventies and early eighties, I have frequently detailed my lack of enthusiasm for vintages after 1984. For that reason, I am happy to report that barrel samples of Diamond Creek's 1994s look to be the most reassuringly fine examples of this estate's Cabernets that I have tasted since 1984. Let's hope they put the wines into the bottle naturally, without excessive fining or filtering. Certainly the raw materials are very impressive. Wine Advocate # 104 Apr 1996
1994 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyard Napa
Price: $312.00 Sale $274
Quantity in Stock: 4
1995 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 16
(88 points) Lean and austere, with a mix of mineral, earth, red currant and briary, cedary notes. Firmly tannic, too, though the fruit pushes through on the finish, despite some considerable tannins. Needs decanting.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2014. 1,100 cases made. –JL Issue: Web Only - 2005
1995 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 16
(88 points) Very Bordeaux-like in its delivery and range of flavors, with a medley of fresh earth, currant, anise, sage and mineral. Fine balance; while the tannins are sturdy, they're integrated, making this a good bet for further cellaring.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2014. 900 cases made. –JL Issue: Web Only - 2005
1995 Diamond Creek Cabernet Gravelly Meadow Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 3
(87 points) Still tightly wound, with vibrant cherry, berry and vanilla notes, this wine definitely needs aeration. With a few minutes the flavors show more depth and complexity, and it's well-balanced, just austere.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2014. 560 cases made. –JL Issue: Web Only -- 2005
1996 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Microclimate 3 Napa
Price: $85.00 Sale $74.80
Quantity in Stock: 2
(94 points) This impressive red is dense and concentrated, with a classy array of rich currant, black cherry, exotic spice, mineral and cedar flavors that are tightly focused and quite complex, ending in a long, rich aftertaste. Another outstanding DC Cab. Best from 2002 through 2012. 75 cases made. –JL Issue: Dec 31, 1998
1996 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $85.00 Sale $74.80
Quantity in Stock: 8
Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of north facing vineyard. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible and earliest drinkable of all our wines. Our winemaker describes Red Rock Terrace as "having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors."
1996 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $85.00 Sale $74.80
Quantity in Stock: 4
(88 points) Complex, with an elegant mix of dried currant, sage, herb and tea notes that are still supported by firm tannins. Yet this is developing nice secondary flavors and is ready to drink.--1996 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2012. –JL Issue: Web Only - 2007
1996 Diamond Creek Cabernet Gravelly Meadow Napa
Price: $85.00 Sale $74.80
Quantity in Stock: 15
(91 points) Austere in style, its character leans toward the earthy side of Cabernet, serving up the clay-tinged currant, plum and wild berry flavors of the vineyard before the tannins flex their muscles. Hold awhile. Best from 2003 through 2010. 600 cases made. –JL Issue: Dec 31, 1998
1996 Diamond Creek Cabernet Lake Napa
Price: $295.00 Sale $259
Quantity in Stock: 6
This tiny ¾ acre vineyard nestled by our lake is the coolest of our microclimates because of the cool Pacific breezes that travel down the Russian River corridor each afternoon. The grapes require a long hang time to ripen, and when they do ripen, they make an exceptional wine. In fact, Lake wines have been produced only ten times since 1972.
1997 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 25
(92 points) Firm and concentrated, with mint, sage, currant and earthy berry flavors that slowly unfold. Needs time, but there's lots of richness and detail in this young wine. Best from 2002 through 2010. 800 cases made. –JL Issue: Nov 15, 1999
1997 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $109.00 Sale $95.92
Quantity in Stock: 20
(93 points) Earthy, tannic and mushroomy, this renowned Diamond Creek red slowly emerges from its shell, unveiling tight currant, black cherry, anise, sage and cedar notes; there's a lot of substance in this young wine, be patient. Best from 2002 through 2013. 1,250 cases made. Issue: Nov 15, 1999
1997 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyard Napa 375ml
Price: $200.00 Sale $176
Quantity in Stock: 1
(93 points) Dark, dense and marked by intense cedary notes, this is an enormous wine, quite rich and laden with black currant, anise, sage, leather, mineral and earth flavors. Needs time. Only available in 5-liter format, of which only 170 were made. Best from 2004 through 2014. –JL Issue: May 31, 2000
1998 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $80.00 Sale $70.40
Quantity in Stock: 9
(94 points) Dark and sturdy, this is an immense, structured wine built for the long haul, delivering intense earthy currant, black cherry, mineral and sage flavors. Finishes with a solid wall of tannins, so hands off for now. Best from 2004 through 2018. 900 cases made. –JL Issue: Nov 15, 2000
1998 Diamond Creek Cabernet Gravelly Meadow Napa
Price: $80.00 Sale $70.40
Quantity in Stock: 8
(89 points) Tight, tart and compact, but rich in flavor, with crisp, stemmy black cherry and wild-berry flavors. Turns firmly tannic, with an oaky, earthy aftertaste. Needs time. Best from 2004 through 2014. 500 cases made. –JL Issue: Nov 15, 2000
1998 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace
Price: $80.00 Sale $70.40
Quantity in Stock: 6
1999 Diamond Creek Cabernet Gravelly Meadow Napa
Price: $99.00 Sale $87.12
Quantity in Stock: 4
(89 points) Sleek, elegant, understated style, with rich currant and black cherry flavors that pick up pleasing earthy notes that add dimension. Best from 2004 through 2015. 400 cases made. –JL Issue: Feb 28, 2002
1999 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $99.00 Sale $87.12
Quantity in Stock: 2
(88 points) Slowly opens up to reveal anise, currant and cedar flavors that are deeply concentrated, but also quite tannic. Firm, leathery, muscular style that begs for cellaring. Best from 2004 through 2012. 500 cases made. –JL Issue: Feb 28, 2002
1999 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyard Napa
Price: $483.00 Sale $425
Quantity in Stock: 6
This tiny ¾ acre vineyard nestled by our lake is the coolest of our microclimates because of the cool Pacific breezes that travel down the Russian River corridor each afternoon. The grapes require a long hang time to ripen, and when they do ripen, they make an exceptional wine. In fact, Lake wines have been produced only ten times since 1972.
2000 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow Napa
Price: $75.00 Sale $66
Quantity in Stock: 5
(89 points) Very complex in a Bordeauxish style, with layers of earth, anise, herb, currant and wild berry. Well-structured, with a long, complex aftertaste, picking up light oak shadings. Drink now through 2010. 450 cases made. –JL Issue: May 15, 2003
2000 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $75.00 Sale $66
Quantity in Stock: 2
(87 points) An herbal style, with green olive, sage, mineral and dusty berry fruit that's complex and firm, though the tannins are a bit raw. Best from 2004 through 2012. 600 cases made. –JL Issue: May 15, 2003
2000 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $75.00 Sale $66
Quantity in Stock: 2
(90 points) Smooth, rich and complex, with a concentrated core of earthy currant, black cherry, herb and toasty oak. Plush textured at first but then the tannins flex their muscles, suggesting a need for cellaring. Long finish. Best from 2004 through 2014. 400 cases made. –JL Issue: May 15, 2003
2001 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa 3 Liter
Price: $500.00 Sale $440
Quantity in Stock: 2
2001 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $90.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 17
(86 points) An austere, rustic style that veers from ripe cherry and plum fruit to dry, chewy, gritty tannins, finishing with a mouth-puckering aftertaste and a twinge of bitterness. Fans of bare-knuckle Cabernet will find this most pleasing. Drink now through 2014. 700 cases made. –JL Issue: Sep 30, 2004
2001 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Microclimate 3 Napa
Price: $90.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 2
2001 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $90.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 15
(91 points) A dark, rich, immensely concentrated wine, with tiers of currant, anise, blackberry, fresh earth and cedary oak that pack in lots of flavor. Well-structured with firm tannins and lively acidity. Needs time. Best from 2006 through 2014. 450 cases made. –JL Issue: Sep 30, 2004
2001 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow Napa 3 Liter
Price: $500.00 Sale $440
Quantity in Stock: 1
2001 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa
Price: $90.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 15
(89 points) An intense, ruggedly tannic style that packs in distinctive earthy currant, blackberry, cedar and wild berry flavors before the tannins wrap it up tightly. Needs cellaring. Best from 2006 through 2014. 500 cases made. Issue: Sep 30, 2004
2002 Diamond Creek Cabernet Gravelly Meadow Napa
Price: $90.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 3
(90 points) From the 5-acre Gravelly Meadow Vineyard, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (the 30th vintage of this wine) exhibits a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a smoky, Graves-like nose of earth, hot rocks, and sweet currant and cherry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with undeniable elegance and sweet, pure fruit, this beauty benefits immensely from 60 minutes of aeration. Spicy, impressively concentrated, and long, it can be approached now, but promises to age nicely for 10-15 years. Wine Advocate # 157 Feb 2005
2002 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Napa
Price: $90.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 5
(92 points) The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill (also the 30th anniversary cuvee of this 8 acre vineyard) reveals a saturated purple color as well as an explosive bouquet that is almost medieval in its black currant notes intermixed with distinctive spicy, earthy, smoky characteristics. Medium to full-bodied and rich, with low acidity, ripe fruit, and a dense, layered, impressive personality, it is more backward than the Gravelly Meadow, less elegant but more powerful and concentrated. Its elegance will take longer to emerge, but it should certainly be there. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020. Wine Advocate # 157 Feb 2005
2002 Diamond Creek Cabernet Red Rock Terrace Napa
Price: $90.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 4
(91 points) The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace (7 acres) boasts a pure nose of smoky creme de cassis and burning embers. Tightly knit in the mouth, with sweet fruit, a hint of vanilla, and the oak kept well in the background, it possesses medium to full body, a beautiful texture, and a long, pure finish. For me, the tightest of the three, but it is also impressive as well as outstanding. With a long finish, this pure wine needs 3-5 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020+. Wine Advocate # 157 Feb 2005
2003 Diamond Creek Cabernet Volcanic Hill Microclimate 4 Napa
Price: $105.00 Sale $92.40
Quantity in Stock: 1
What I Drank Yesterday:
This is the line-up that Don Sebastiani and sons are putting out these days as the winery with their namesake has been sold to Bill Foley. I have had a few of the Sebastiani wines over the last year and they are very impressive, but I can’t say as much for these new wines that seem to be more focused on their catchy names and cool packaging instead of what is inside the bottle.
2010 The White Knight Moscato California
Price: $10.50
TOG (the other guys), Don Sebastiani and Sons the sons are the other guys. August is the son who owns this label. A blend of 50% Muscat of Alexandria, 27% Muscant Canelli, 20% Pinot Grigio and 3% Orange Muscat. Has a floral and perfumed array on the nose with orange peel and pear and white peach like fruit. A touch of sweetness on the tongue with a light spritz like quality to the finish with a short but pleasant finish with a zest of lemon and orange keeping thing fresh and light on the finish. Finish 30+ Good +
2010 The White Knight Viognier Clarksburg
Price: $10.50
A hint of floral perfume on the nose with peach and lychee nut fruit and a touch of white pepper spice. Nice richness on the palate with pear and lychee fruit on the palate, nice freshness and balance for a Viognier maybe a slight oily texture to the wine but finishes bone dry and with only a touch of floral perfume. Finish 40+ Very Good
2010 Leese-Fitch Sauvignon Blanc California
Price: $12
Just a whiff of fresh bailed hay, melon and green fig like fruit on the nose with a touch of wet stone like minerality. Tart grapefruit citrus on the tongue with a slight musky nuance on the finish. Finish 35+ Good
2008 Pennywise Chardonnay California
Price: $11.25
Ripe red apple fruit with notes of caramel corn, this wine if from Clarksburg, simple but pleasant aromas. Ripe and fruity style with a short but pleasant finish. Finish 25+ Very Fine
2009 Leese-Fitch Chardonnay California
Price: $11.25
Mendocino fruit with aromas of juicy fruit very clean and simple. A light and refreshing style with clean apple and pear fruit and a short but pleasant finish, nice freshness. Finish 25+ Good
2009 Pennywise Petite Sirah California
Price: $11.25
Blackberry and blueberry fruit with pretty violet like floral notes with sweet tobacco spice. A good amount of forward blackberry fruit a nice tartness to the finish turning a bit dry with some of that spice and floral nuance showing on the finish. Finish 25+ Very Fine
2010 Leese-Fitch Pinot Noir California
Price: $11.25
Some Pinot Like character to the nose, a tart cherry fruit on the nose with hints of fresh herbs, a light minty note. A very light style with that tart cherry showing through on the palate soft tannins but dry acidity making the mouth pucker a bit on the finish. Finish 25+ Fine
2009 Plungerhead Zinfandel Lodi
Price: $15
Raspberry and red cherry fruit with pretty floral notes and pomegranate fruit. Light and tangy style of zin with some bright raspberry fruit. Finish 25+ Fine
2008 Plungerhead Zinfandel Dry Creek
Price: $19.50
A brambly raspberry and blackberry jam like fruit on the nose with somewhat of a sundried character to it, almost Amarone like on the palate. Some nice jammy fruit on the tongue with smooth tannins and a nice dose of acidity, finishes quickly but pleasant enough. Finish 30+ Good
2009 Pennywise Cabernet Sauvignon California
Price: $11.25
A bit of herbaciousness on the nose with some black cherry and currant fruit. A crowd pleaser style with a short but pleasant finish. Finish 25+ Very Fine
The next generation from Lange winery, Jesse Lange was in to taste us on a few of his newest releases. Lange winery that has been around since the 1987 vintage and they are driven by a passion to produce Pinot Noir, one of the most challenging of all the grape varietals but also one of the most rewarding. They are making excellent progress here and these wines are all worthy of being on my shelf.
2010 Lange Pinot Gris Willamette Valley
Price: $21.50
Just celebrated 25th Anniversary, they are the 4th producer of Pinot Gris in U.S. back in 1987, their initial release. They make a vibrant and fresh style of Pinot Gris, a good amount of pear and apple fruit with notes of fresh white flowers. A bright and fresh style of Pinot Gris with green apple fruit on the tongue with lemon lime citrus on the tongue. Finish 35+ Very Good
2009 Lange Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Price: $28.25
A blend of all 15 different sites, they farm 45 acres in the Dundee hills, the first micro AVA in the Willamette but they also buy fruit from all the different areas, featuring wines from the Flood Plains, Marine Sedimentary and volcanic soil types. This vintage features plush wines with no bottle shock, very outgoing a bit warmer vintage. A pretty floral nuance to the strawberry and raspberry fruit on the nose with a nice hint of all-spice as well. A very smooth and elegant wine forward and seductive fruit along with a nice amount of floral and spice tones on the finish. Finish 35+ Very Good +
2009 Lange Pinot Noir Reserve Willamette Valley
Price: $37.25
A winemakers blend of the top barrels, has a darker fruit component a little more structure and spice. Light smoke and spice here with black raspberry and cherry fruit showing on the nose, nice complexity here. Lange bottled more Reserve and single vineyard wines in 2009, the press jumped all over this vintage (100 Points), pretty forward black raspberry like fruit with a nice savory finish hints of flowers and spice nicely balanced. Finish 40+ Excellent
2008 Lange Pinot Noir Three Hills Cuvee
Price: $51.75
A blend of Freedom Hill, Yamhill and Dundee Hills estate, thus the Three Hills Cuvee. A touch of smoke and a minty note to the nose with black raspberry, a nice hand of spice with black earth and tea notes. A very tangy wine on the palate with silky smooth tannins. Finish 45+ Excellent +
A quick sip from Swanson:
We have been big fans of Swanson Vineyard from Day one. I remember Clark stopping by to see me at Café Maxx with his first wines and although they were good, they continued to get better and better as the years went on. Clark always seemed to be one step ahead of the trends, when he decided at the urging of the great André Tchelistcheff to plant Merlot this was way before the trend went to Merlot in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Then he decided to make Pinot Grigio and phase out Chardonnay, what do you know? Pinot Grigio became the fastest growing white wine category. Look deep into your crystal ball Clark and tell us what is next?? Well- here it is Instant Napa….
2009 Swanson Cabernet Sauvignon Instant Napa
Price: $60
This wine is made from all purchased fruit from Chris Phelps contacts while he was with Caymus, only 500 cases available. A very Napa style wine with lots of currant and cassis berry fruit with notes of toasty oak spice, dark coco, very forward and seductive. A bit firm and tannic on the palate but a lot of dark cherry berry fruit, nice structure and depth of flavors dark spices, espresso and dark chocolate notes on the finish, needs a bit of time. Finish 45+ On the second day this wine is really singing with smooth round edges and ripe succulent fruit a nice hand of spice on the finish along with dark chocolate and cedar notes . Excellent +
