2002 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow
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Tasting notes
The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow comes from a 5-acre vineyard planted on stony and gravelly soils. While it is the most evolved and forward of this trio, it is by no means fully mature as it easily needs 3-5 more years of cellaring. Aromas of wet rocks, smoky barbecue nuances, vanillin, black currants, graphite and chocolate emerge from this full-bodied, opulent, somewhat austere red. The great purity and exuberance of Napa Cabernet fruit is underlaid by a Bordeaux-like tannic structure. A sensational effort, it will easily last another 2-3 decades. These three extremely youthful and impressive wines from Diamond Creek Vineyards are all backward and in need of 5-7 years of additional cellaring. By the way, each of these three vineyards has the exact same percentage of grapes (88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) planted in them, which makes comparing them fascinating. Tel. (707) 942-6926
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright ruby-red. Cassis, spice cake and exotic dark chocolate on the nose, lifted by a floral perfume. Sweet, dense and youthfully unevolved, with classic cabernet flavors of dark berries, dark chocolate, licorice, leather and flowers. A very backward wine that's currently dominated by its rather powerful structure. Broadens out impressively on the back end, finishing quite long and leathery, with dusty tannins. Showed increasing sweetness of fruit with extended aeration. These wines were accidentally omitted from myNorth Coastcoverage in Issue 120-a shame, as this is the best set of Diamond Creek cabernets I've tasted in several years.
About the producer
Diamond Creek, Napa’s first single-vineyard Cabernet estate, has defined terroir-driven winemaking since 1968. Founded by Al and Boots Brounstein, the winery pioneered site-specific Cabernet, producing age-worthy wines from Gravelly Meadow, Red Rock Terrace and Volcanic Hill.