We have been working hard to secure a direct allocation from the estate over the last two years and our efforts have finally paid off. These are – without doubt – some of the most individual Californian Cabernet Sauvignon that Simon has ever come across. Age-worthy, individual and expressive, they stand on a par with the great Bordeaux and other leading Cabernet-dominant blends from around the world. Simon has been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity of tasting numerous mature vintages and says that he cannot recall an occasion where they have failed to impress.
One of the most memorable, small wine dinners I can recall ever having attended focused on the wines of Diamond Creek. This event, held over a decade ago in a private room of the Landmark Hotel, was memorable for various reasons. Firstly, on account of the sublime quality of the wines on show and secondly, due to the enthusiasm that radiated from proprietor Al Brounstein, our host for the evening. At the time, Al must have been in his early 80s and had been battling Parkinson’s disease for over fifteen years. In spite of this, he still regularly travelled internationally to promote the wines of Diamond Creek – he was a mainstay at Decanter’s Fine Wine Encounter event and his passion for his wines never abated. In 2006, Al sadly passed away after a 23 year struggle with this debilitating disease.
There are many threads to the story of Diamond Creek and the story of Al Brounstein. Having previously set up and run a very successful pharmaceutical company, Al’s attention turned to viticulture following a wine appreciation course. At the age of 47 he bought 80 acres of land in a narrow canyon bisected by the Diamond Creek, just outside Castiloga in the Napa Valley. This was to be the first time vineyards had been planted on the Diamond Mountain since prohibition. Al had recognised three distinct soil types across this site, each echoed in the resultant name of the wine; Gravelly Meadow, Red Rock Terrace and Volcanic Hill. Al meticulously planted the neighbouring trio of vineyards with the same mix of grape varieties; 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, along with a little Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. In certain years, some Petit Verdot is blended in from a separate vineyard. It was Al’s intention to demonstrate, what the French call ‘terroir’ and show that the site, soil and exposure of each vineyard gave rise to a different character. The distinction between these three vineyards is crystal clear when you have a chance to taste each of the three wines side by side.
Easily my favourite story about Al – and one which has become almost mythical – is that, while touring Bordeaux before setting up his vineyards, he allegedly ‘acquired’ some bud-wood from some of Bordeaux’s most illustrious vineyards and smuggled it back into the United States via Mexico! These early cuttings were referred to by Al with some humour as the ‘suitcase clones’…humour was ever-present with Al. He was a great character and a pioneer in the truest sense of the word.
I am pleased to be able to offer a selection of 2010s from this iconic estate – a late release from a great young vintage. Antonio Galloni described the 2010 vintage in the Napa as ‘an epic vintage’, commenting that the best 2010s show ‘stunning harmony’. Certainly the 2010s mark a significant release for the estate.
NB Stocks are strictly limited and it may be necessary to allocate stock across our client base.
2010 Volcanic Hill, Diamond Creek
97 points, Antonio Galloni
Cool veins of graphite, pencil shavings, crushed rocks, plums, new leather, lavender and violets burst from the glass in the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill. Powerful, rich and intense, the 2010 impresses for its balance, symmetry and class. The classic Volcanic Hill tannins are there, but they are beautifully balanced by the intensity of the fruit. Veins of intense savory notes, minerals and cedar add complexity on the layered, kaleidoscopic finish. 2020-2040.