A famed Napa house that needs little introduction, Diamond Creek was purchased by Louis Roederer in 2020 in a very exciting development. It will be really interesting to see how that influences production. What began back in 1967 with the purchased of land, The Brounsteins created both the first single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wine as well as the first $100 bottle of wine from Napa. What was quite novel for the period of time, the Brounsteins created three different wines to show each individual soil type in the vineyard which were all produced separately.
Wines are crafted in an almost anti-Napa approach, looking for good richness but a focus on terroir, rather than fruit qualities. Wines from this estate show remarkable non-fruit character and I have certainly enjoyed many of these in my collection over the years. The new wines exude class across the board. Coming from the electric 2018 vintage, I was enamored by the 2018 Diamond Creek ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is dense and shows plenty of loamy terroir notes alongside intense non-fruit character. All three of these releases are simply electric. Learn more about this famed estate at https://www.diamondcreekvineyards.com and here are my notes on the new 2018 Diamond Creek releases.
2018 Diamond Creek ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A killer blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5% Merlot, 8.7% Malbec and 2.8% Petit Verdot, the 2018 ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off a gorgeous bouquet after some air. The loamy terroir tones impress alongside dark currant cordial, mocha and tar notes that all meld in the glass. The palate is soft, elegant and highly refined. Rich dark fruits parade with chocolate covered espresso bean, tilled soils and shades of creosote on the palate. Really just an infant now, this rich and finesse-driven Cabernet Sauvignon has decades of life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2040- 96
2018 Diamond Creek ‘Gravelly Meadow’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Gravelly Meadow’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a cooler microclimate on the Diamond Creek estate, set on pebbly, porous brown soils. Ripe blackberries and black cherry tones combine with espresso bean, and damp earthy tones on the nose. The palate is layered and voluptuous with incredible tension and flavor density. Rich dark fruits collide with Turkish coffee, blueberry cordial and graphite on the palate. This truly extraordinary, well-balanced and dense effort will have a very long life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2040- 96
2018 Diamond Creek ‘Red Rock Terrace’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The Diamond Creek ‘Red Rock Terrace’ is a sensational effort form the 2018 vintage. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 4.5% Malbec and 4.5% Petit Verdot, this shows off exotic spices woven together with ripe black plum, cassis and coffee grounds on this gorgeous bouquet. The palate shows off a silky texture with plenty of dense dark fruits that mingle with milk chocolate, tar and anise tones on the palate. Gorgeous now to savor, this has another fifteen plus years to go. Drink 2022-2038- 95