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| Diamonds Are Forever: A Comparison of Diamond Creek's Three Vineyards |
Thursday September 12, 2002
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Speaker: Charles Rubinstein, Wine Writer, Educator and Diamond Creek Maven
One of Napa's best known wineries (and the first to produce only Cabernet), Diamond Creek has three distinct vineyards, each named for its unique soil composition. In addition to different soils, each vineyard has a unique personality and produces distinctly different Cabs.
The winery produces about 3500 cases in total. The blend is the same for all three bottlings, 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Starting in 1997, the Cabernet Franc was reduced to 2% and 2% Petite Verdot was added to the Cepage. The various varietals are not in separate plots but planted alongside each other. The wines are marked by a tremendous concentration of berry fruit and black (plums and currants) fruits.
Wines are listed in the order of presentation. No votes for a favorite wine were taken.
Instead, the group was asked to vote for their favorite vineyard. The overwhelming favorite was Red Rock Terrace. The speaker cautioned that in his long experience with the winery, Volcanic Hill showed the best over the long haul. These wines were purchased at auction, so retail prices are not available; prices for current vintages run around $100-$125. Notes are a combination of the speaker's and Jonathan Levine's.
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| Wines |
1997 Volcanic Hill
Surprisingly forward. Typically, this is the slowest to evolve and the longest lasting of the three vineyards. Spicy, with cherries and cedar. Hints of violets. There are sufficient tannins, but they are overwhelmed by the abundant bright fruit. |
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1997 Gravelly Meadow
Viscous and bright. Not as spicy or forward as Volcanic Hill. Minerally, with hints of vanilla along with toasty oak and a sense of the soil. The wine opens up with some air and develops a whiff of blueberries. |
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1997 Red Rock Terrace
Usually the most forward of the three. This example shows perfume and floral notes along with a strong red berry component. More tannic and spicy than the other 1997s. |
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1996 Volcanic Hill
A lovely wine with spice and berry aromas. The wine is chewy and powerful with cherries, anise, minerals, mint and eucalyptus on the palate. |
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1996 Gravelly Meadow
Very closed in. Aromas of raspberry eau de vie and a tannic edge. More currants, plums and vanilla and less of a mineral component than the 1996 Volcanic Hill. |
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1996 Red Rock Terrace
One of my two favorites. A lush wine with bright fruit and a laser-like focus. Medium bodied but elegant. Hints of sage blend nicely with the plums and blackberries. |
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1995 Volcanic Hill
The 1995s are starting to show some nuances of bottle age.
Intense and ripe with minerals, violets and tobacco. On the palate one detects chocolate and spice. |
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1995 Gravelly Meadow
The only wine that did not have brilliant hues. The color was muddied. Viscous, spicy with the same raspberry eau de vie as was detected in the 1996. Layers of flavor. |
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1995 Red Rock Terrace
Another intense wine with astounding fruit. A more graceful and elegant wine with a long finish. Astringent with floral and herbal flavors. |
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1994 Volcanic Hill
A mouth-filling wine with black fruits and an angular feel. Silky texture. |
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1994 Gravelly Meadow
Sweet cherry fruit with toasted oak, chocolate, violet and minty nuances. Medium bodied and a medium finish. |
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1994 Red Rock Terrace
My favorite of the event. Exquisite balance and elegance. Great length and depth coupled with a mouth watering bouquet of fresh fruit. |
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