2021 Diamond Mountain Cabernet 750ml

Vintage Notes

The 2021 vintage was a year of moderate weather: a long, even growing season with few heat spikes or other extreme events. The new year began mild and dry as we headed into our second drought year in a row. We’ve observed in that with a very dry winter, applying water prior to bud break promotes uniform vineyard growth and development, and overall vine health throughout the year. With California’s historically wet winters this has never been a consideration even in previous drought years. We began irrigation in February, making several applications ahead of March bud break. This early growth promoted flowering and set, giving us a good crop despite the drought. The year progressed mild and warm, with a few modest heat waves, and a long, stable weather pattern extending into October. Given the balanced canopy, the dry-year small berries, and few brakes on ripening, the fruit was ready almost two weeks earlier than normal and we picked Cabernet the first week of October, well ahead of rains later in the month. The young wines are expressive, elegant, and balanced.

Tasting Notes

First impressions are all dark blackberry, espresso, and blueberry enrobing a core of supple tannin. As the wine unfolds, we see revealed red and black cassis, lavender, pencil shavings and cocoa powder. The wine continues to bloom showing us sour cherry, graphite, dark chocolate, and baking spices on the palate, retaining the edge of a good mocha in the finish. This wine drinks well now with decanting for those who like a bruiser, but will evolve for decades to come.