October 19, 2023 - This was fantastic. Perfect condition and cork, classic nose of cassis, mocha, spice, and a freshness akin to watermelon rind or eucalyptus. Perfectly balanced at this point. We prefer wines with some fruit, and this hit the perfect balance between secondary and tertiary characters.
October 21, 2022 - Not as layered and complex as the Gravelly Meadow but still beautifully rendered in almost a Burgundian way. Quite fresh with crisp acids and delicious red fruit flavors that lead to a refined, laser-like finish. A gorgeous, elegant Cab.
October 16, 2021 - A great wine!!!
June 7, 2018 - Beautiful bottle just starting to enter its drinking window. Decanted for 3 hours then enjoyed over the next couple. Really started opening up with the last few sips. Can’t wait to track this over time.
August 2, 2014 - This was certainly a really well-balanced and fine bottle of wine.
July 21, 2012 - Diamond Creek Vineyards Decades of Rarities (Diamond Creek Vineyards, Calistoga, California): Dark red violet color; maturing, mushroom, cedar, cassis nose; maturing, silky textured, tart cassis, black currant, cedar palate; needs 3 years; medium-plus finish 91+ points
April 9, 2012 - I bought this from Heritage Wine Auctions for about half the retail price and the bottle was in pristine condition. The wine was decanted for about an hour. At first opening, it was wound fairly tight but it opened up nicely. The nose was classic old school cab with cedar notes and restrained fruit. On the palate, this was not as structured as I would have expected but was starting to show some tertiary flavors of tobacco and pine. A medium finish. The wine went well with the tri-tip and it had enough acid to cut through the meat.
With only a couple of these wines from the 2000's under my belt, it's hard to come to a firm conclusion on whether this winery is sill producing grand cru class wines. Nonetheless, at $65 this was a good value.
February 4, 2010 - Decanted 3 hours and consumed over the next 3 hours. Inky black in the glass. A very open nose of black cherries, black currants, some oak, sweet tobacco, a little leather, and hints of roasted herbs. On the palate, big and juicy with good weight and nice concentration of fruit. Was ready to rate this in the mid-90s until the finish. The finish began with black fruits mixed with the delicious nuances of aged California Cabernet, but then it just quit. I would say the finish was around 15 seconds at best. I definitely enjoyed this wine, but for the price it did not deliver as well as I was hoping.
June 10, 2008 - Great wine, but still too early to drink. Very tight, big flavors. Will be an incredible wine in 7-10 years.
November 26, 2005 - Decanter Fine Wine Encounter 2005 (The Landmark Hotel, London): Attractive nose. Still in its primary stages, but displaying intense fruit, good structure and excellent balance. (91 - 92)