One of the famed older houses in Napa, Diamond Creek began back in 1967 with the creation of the first single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wine as well as the first $100 bottle of wine from Napa. This was very novel at the time and Diamond Creek proprietors the Brounsteins created three different wines to show each individual soil type in the vineyard which were all produced separately. At the time thee was nothing close to this made in the Napa Valley.
For years these wines have shied away from intense fruit flavors and have geared more towards terroir. I love the range of non-fruit qualities obtained in these wines over the years. Last year I was enamored by the wines made in the 2018 vintage. I think they have done an even better job in 2019. I adored the new 2019 Diamond Creek ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which displays a terrific underlying freshness, with plenty of stony notes alongside cassis flavors. These retail around $300 USD. They are collectors item that would be perfect for a special occasion. Learn more about this famed estate at https://www.diamondcreekvineyards.com and here are my notes on the new 2019 Diamond Creek releases.
2019 Diamond Creek ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The gorgeous 2019 ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon really needs about a two hour decant to fully hit its stride. It comes off very flinty and stony initially on the nose, with ripe cassis notes alongside tobacco leaf and tar undercurrents. The palate is incredibly vibrant and fresh, with firm tannins that meld with the espresso grounds, freshly tilled soils and blueberry compote flavors with a graphite edge. Sensational after air, you can just feel how well this will cellar. Try to avoid this beauty for a few more years. Drink 2024-2040- 97
2019 Diamond Creek ‘Gravelly Meadow’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Diamond Creek ‘Gravelly Meadow’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a slightly cooler site on their estate which was set on pebbly soils. Once on the nose this exudes class with boysenberry syrup, cigar box, anise and shades of creosote with stony undertones that all meld in the glass. The palate is very fresh and refined with a seamless texture and great sense of length and weight. Utterly fabulous with more air, the underlying stony terroir and fantastic underlying acidity really impresses here. Be sure to give this at least two hours of air if enjoying in its scintillating youth. This is the upper echelon of harmonious Napa Cabernet. Drink 2024-2040- 98
2019 Diamond Creek ‘Red Rock Terrace’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Diamond Creek ‘Red Rock Terrace’ also is needing a very long decant prior to savoring. The nose comes off with great garrigue notes alongside wet stone, huckleberry compote and shades of worn leather. Very mineral-driven once on the attack, the seamless texture entices, as you can feel the incredible aging potential of this Cabernet Sauvignon. Finishing very long with dried herbs, black currants and copious minerals, this is an elegant and sleek finesse-driven Napa Cabernet that is built for the cellar. Like the other 2019 bottlings, it is best to resist temptation for a few more years. Drink 2022-2040- 96