Above 23 double-magnums per lot
細節
A TREMENDOUS OFFERING OF DIAMOND CREEK CHRONICLING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESTATE FROM 1982 TO MOST RECENT RELEASE
Situated on a 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 site in 1968. The maiden vintage was 1972 and the wines have 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. The emphasis has always been on quality with total production limited to approximately 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 in 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.
Al Brounstein initially identified three distinguishable vineyard blocks by their diverse soil structure. These are separated by Diamond Creek as it winds through the valley. Al named them for their geological forms: volcanic, gravelly, and red rock. There are currently four separate vineyards bottled on the estate, Lake being the fourth vineyard, and all with their unique climate, bottling, and expression.
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 blackcurrant 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 DC's Cabernets and 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 Gentleman
The following were acquired direct from the winery and are presented in rare magnum-format, three vineyard original wooden cases.
Diamond Creek, Volcanic Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
--Vintage 1984double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1985double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1986double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1987double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1988double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1989double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1990double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1991double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1992double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1993double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1994double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1995double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1996double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1997double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1998double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1999double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2000double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2001double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2002double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2003double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2004double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2005double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2006double-magnum (1)
All in original wooden cases, all levels into neck; vintages 1984 and 1987 are in original wooden cases but missing lids, vintages 1985-1987 have nicked labels; vintage 2002 has 30th Anniversary artist label.
Above 23 double-magnums per lot
Situated on a 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 site in 1968. The maiden vintage was 1972 and the wines have 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. The emphasis has always been on quality with total production limited to approximately 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 in 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.
Al Brounstein initially identified three distinguishable vineyard blocks by their diverse soil structure. These are separated by Diamond Creek as it winds through the valley. Al named them for their geological forms: volcanic, gravelly, and red rock. There are currently four separate vineyards bottled on the estate, Lake being the fourth vineyard, and all with their unique climate, bottling, and expression.
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 blackcurrant 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 DC's Cabernets and 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 Gentleman
The following were acquired direct from the winery and are presented in rare magnum-format, three vineyard original wooden cases.
Diamond Creek, Volcanic Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
--Vintage 1984double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1985double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1986double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1987double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1988double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1989double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1990double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1991double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1992double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1993double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1994double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1995double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1996double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1997double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1998double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 1999double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2000double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2001double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2002double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2003double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2004double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2005double-magnum (1)
--Vintage 2006double-magnum (1)
All in original wooden cases, all levels into neck; vintages 1984 and 1987 are in original wooden cases but missing lids, vintages 1985-1987 have nicked labels; vintage 2002 has 30th Anniversary artist label.
Above 23 double-magnums per lot
來源
Acquired by this original owner upon initial winery release
榮譽呈獻
Charles Antin