2 bottles per lot
Details
AN UNPRECEDENTED OFFERING OF DIAMOND CREEK CHRONICLING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESTATE FROM 1972 TO MOST RECENT RELEASES
Situated on geological and topographical marvel, Diamond Creek Vineyards became California's first exclusive Estate Cabernet Sauvignon winery when Al Brounstein first started clearing the 79-acre estate in 1968. The maiden vintage was 1972 and has remained true to his original intention of crafting the quintessential Cabernet. Earlier vintages required long aging to evolve, however they have become significantly more accessible since the 1990s while retaining their ageability. In their 80s, Brounstein and his wife, Boots, still run the winery today, continuing to expand the estate with a new vineyard dedicated to Petit Vedot to add tannic, color and spice to their fabulous Cabernet dominated blends. The emphasis has always been on quality with total production limited to 2,000 cases.
Located at an elevation of 800 feet, Diamond Creek's auspicious grape growing climate combines cooling afternoon breezes from the ocean on the west moderating the Calistoga valley heat on the east. As many as 15 to 20 pickings over a lengthy month long harvest ensure each grape is picked at its optimal ripeness. Phil Steinschriber, Diamond Creek's winemaker since 1991, has introduced several improvements including vertical training and stainless steel fermenting continuing the focus on ripeness and purity of fruit.
Brounstein initially identified the three distinguishable vineyard blocks by their diverse soil structure, similar to the terroir of the estates of Bordeaux. These are separated by Diamond Creek it winds through the valley. He named them for their geological forms: volcanic, gravelly, and red rock. There are currently four separate vineyards bottled on the estate, all with their unique climate and bottling, and expression.
Lake Vineyard
The smallest and most precious parcel not even a full acre gaining titled by its proximity valley's man-made lake. It has the coolest microclimate of the four vineyards due to the Pacific breezes that travel down the Russian River corridor each afternoon in conjunction with a mini-lake effect of its moniker bestower.
Lake grapes are typically blended with the Gravelly Meadow label, and only bottled separately during years of superb conditions. Their production is rare, with the vintage being declared only eight times since 1978 due to the grapes' unusually long hang time to ripen. When the Lake is bottled separately, it is often one of California's most expensive wines, bringing tremendous prices at charity as well as commercial auctions. Interestingly, it was made only in 170 5 liter bottles for the 1997 vintage.
Gravelly Meadow
The 5-acre Gravelly Meadow Vineyard is the estate's second coolest microclimate, and typically its lowest yielding. Its situation on a prehistoric river bed gives the soil a stony, gravelly nature allowing it to drain rapidly, leaving the vines struggling for moisture.
They tend to be the most elegant of Diamond Creek's portfolio with earthy, sage and blackberry, notes and often very Graves like.
Red Rock Terrace
Red Rock Terrace hails from red tinted soil, resulting from high iron content. The 7 acre vineyard faces north with a warm microclimate and tends to be the most accessible and earliest drinking of all of Diamond Creek's wines.
Winemaker Phil Steinschriber describes Red Rock Terrace as "having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors."
Volcanic Hill
Volcanic Hill, the largest vineyard at 8 acres, faces most southerly. The eruption of Mt. Konocti 8 million years ago left behind a pale, gray, volcanic soil and imparts a distinctive terroir on the wines.
Volcanic Hill is often the longest lived of the DC's Cabernets ands are full-bodied wines with intense cassis fruit and long yet firm tannins. These are the estate's most muscular cabernets, reminiscent of a Pauillac.
Property of a passionate wine connoisseur.
Removed from a stunning temperature and humidity controlled cellar.
VOLCANIC HILL
Diamond Creek, Volcanic Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon--Vintage 1972
Napa Valley
Levels: one into neck and one top shoulder; one corroded capsule, one heavily bin soiled label
"Youthful and complex, with plum, earth and mushroom flavors and a fine balance and length." James Laube, California Wine, 2nd Edition
2 bottles per lot
Situated on geological and topographical marvel, Diamond Creek Vineyards became California's first exclusive Estate Cabernet Sauvignon winery when Al Brounstein first started clearing the 79-acre estate in 1968. The maiden vintage was 1972 and has remained true to his original intention of crafting the quintessential Cabernet. Earlier vintages required long aging to evolve, however they have become significantly more accessible since the 1990s while retaining their ageability. In their 80s, Brounstein and his wife, Boots, still run the winery today, continuing to expand the estate with a new vineyard dedicated to Petit Vedot to add tannic, color and spice to their fabulous Cabernet dominated blends. The emphasis has always been on quality with total production limited to 2,000 cases.
Located at an elevation of 800 feet, Diamond Creek's auspicious grape growing climate combines cooling afternoon breezes from the ocean on the west moderating the Calistoga valley heat on the east. As many as 15 to 20 pickings over a lengthy month long harvest ensure each grape is picked at its optimal ripeness. Phil Steinschriber, Diamond Creek's winemaker since 1991, has introduced several improvements including vertical training and stainless steel fermenting continuing the focus on ripeness and purity of fruit.
Brounstein initially identified the three distinguishable vineyard blocks by their diverse soil structure, similar to the terroir of the estates of Bordeaux. These are separated by Diamond Creek it winds through the valley. He named them for their geological forms: volcanic, gravelly, and red rock. There are currently four separate vineyards bottled on the estate, all with their unique climate and bottling, and expression.
Lake Vineyard
The smallest and most precious parcel not even a full acre gaining titled by its proximity valley's man-made lake. It has the coolest microclimate of the four vineyards due to the Pacific breezes that travel down the Russian River corridor each afternoon in conjunction with a mini-lake effect of its moniker bestower.
Lake grapes are typically blended with the Gravelly Meadow label, and only bottled separately during years of superb conditions. Their production is rare, with the vintage being declared only eight times since 1978 due to the grapes' unusually long hang time to ripen. When the Lake is bottled separately, it is often one of California's most expensive wines, bringing tremendous prices at charity as well as commercial auctions. Interestingly, it was made only in 170 5 liter bottles for the 1997 vintage.
Gravelly Meadow
The 5-acre Gravelly Meadow Vineyard is the estate's second coolest microclimate, and typically its lowest yielding. Its situation on a prehistoric river bed gives the soil a stony, gravelly nature allowing it to drain rapidly, leaving the vines struggling for moisture.
They tend to be the most elegant of Diamond Creek's portfolio with earthy, sage and blackberry, notes and often very Graves like.
Red Rock Terrace
Red Rock Terrace hails from red tinted soil, resulting from high iron content. The 7 acre vineyard faces north with a warm microclimate and tends to be the most accessible and earliest drinking of all of Diamond Creek's wines.
Winemaker Phil Steinschriber describes Red Rock Terrace as "having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors."
Volcanic Hill
Volcanic Hill, the largest vineyard at 8 acres, faces most southerly. The eruption of Mt. Konocti 8 million years ago left behind a pale, gray, volcanic soil and imparts a distinctive terroir on the wines.
Volcanic Hill is often the longest lived of the DC's Cabernets ands are full-bodied wines with intense cassis fruit and long yet firm tannins. These are the estate's most muscular cabernets, reminiscent of a Pauillac.
Property of a passionate wine connoisseur.
Removed from a stunning temperature and humidity controlled cellar.
VOLCANIC HILL
Diamond Creek, Volcanic Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon--Vintage 1972
Napa Valley
Levels: one into neck and one top shoulder; one corroded capsule, one heavily bin soiled label
"Youthful and complex, with plum, earth and mushroom flavors and a fine balance and length." James Laube, California Wine, 2nd Edition
2 bottles per lot