Diamond Creek Wine Tasting

Ponti Wine Cellars
Tasted Wednesday, March 4, 2015 by Derek Darth Taster with 475 views

Introduction

With Mr. Philip Ross, founder Al Brounstein's step-son who now runs the winery.
A truly eye-opening tasting. Truly high quality wine from Napa Valley, albeit mountain Cabernet from the unique microclimate and terroir on Diamond Mountain in Calistoga.
Unbelievable that the wines spend 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels, because the oak is so nicely integrated and balanced. Certainly not alcohol-charged fruit bombs here. The wines are richness combined with balance, and are made to last for decades.

Flight 1 (6 Notes)

  • 2009 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Slow-oxed 5 hours in bottle before tasting.
    Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
    Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of cedar wood, licorice, cassis, blackcurrant, and earthy/gravelly minerality. Developing.
    On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol (14.1%), velvety high tannins, full body. Pronounced flavour intensity, with flavours of cedar wood, licorice, cassis, blackcurrant, red plums, and the persistent minerality. Long finish.
    Outstanding quality. Like a ripe fruity Bordeaux with minerality. Young now, but quite approachable with air time. I would re-explore this in 8-10 years' time.
    88% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a bit of Petit Verdot.

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  • 2009 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Slow-oxed 5 hours in bottle before tasting.
    Appearance is deep intensity, almost opaque ruby colour. Legs.
    Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of toasted oak, smokiness, and licorice. Developing.
    On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol (14.1%), mouth-coating high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of licorice, cassis, blackcurrant, and slight peppercorn spice. Long finish.
    Very good quality. Pretty tight and slightly austere, especially on the nose at this point in time. This feels like it needs another 15-20 years to evolve into maturity.
    88% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a bit of Petit Verdot.

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  • 2009 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Slow-oxed 5 hours in bottle before tasting.
    Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
    Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of fruity blackcurrant, blackcberry, dark plums, licorice, and cedar wood. Developing.
    On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol (14.1%), very smooth velvety high tannins, full body. Pronounced flavour intensity, with blackberry, blackcurrant, dark plums, licorice, cassis, and slight iron minerality. Long finish.
    Very good quality. Fruity, easy to drink, and a crowd pleaser. Young now, but can be appreciated with long air time. Give this another 5 years for best results.
    88% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a bit of Petit Verdot.

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  • 2010 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Slow-oxed 5 hours in bottle before tasting.
    Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour with purplish tinge. Legs.
    Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with extremely fruity aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry. Some slight ferrous minerality. Youthful.
    On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol (14.1%), grippy high tannins, full body. Pronounced flavour intensity, bursting forth with flavours of ripe blackcurrant and blackberries, and some iron minerality. Long finish.
    Very good quality. 2010 obviously a riper/warmer vintage than 2009. But I prefer the balance and smooth tannins of the 2009 vintage.
    88% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a bit of Petit Verdot.

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  • 2010 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Slow-oxed 5 hours in bottle before tasting.
    Appearance is deep, dark almost opaque ruby colour. Legs.
    Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of toast, smokiness, tarry earth, and dark black fruit. Developing.
    On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol (14.1%), grippy high tannins, full body. Medum+ flavour intensity, with flavours of licorice, cassis, blackcurrant. Long finish.
    Very good quality. More open and not as tight as the 2009 vintage. Still feels infanticidal to be drinking this now anyway. Give this another 10+ years to mature.
    88% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a bit of Petit Verdot.

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  • 2011 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Slow-oxed 5 hours in bottle before tasting.
    Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour with purplish tinge. Legs.
    Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of pungent earthy/gravelly/chalky minerality, blackcurrant, and blackberry. Developing.
    On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol (14.1%), velvety high tannins, full body. Pronounced flavour intensity, with flavours of chalky minerality, graphite, blackcurrant, blackberry, licorice, cassis. Long finish.
    Very good quality. Also very nice, but the 2009 vintage still trumps in balance. Young now, give this another 10 years to mature.
    88% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a bit of Petit Verdot.

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