98
points
Von Strasser 2008 Reserve Red (Diamond Mountain)
-
$125
As good as the winery’s other 2008s are, this wine raises the stakes. It’s bone dry, deeply tannic and marked by classic varietal flavors of blackberries, cassis and dark chocolate, with sweet, smoky oak. Almost a food group in itself for its complexity, it’s dazzling now for its sheer luxurious deliciousness, yet is guaranteed to develop over at least the next 10 years.
— S.H.
(11/1/2011)
97
points
Von Strasser 2007 Reserve Red (Diamond Mountain)
-
$125
Napa Bordeaux-style wines don’t get much richer than this. It is, extraordinary, in large part due to the perfect vintage. So rich, so ripe in fruit, and yet so brilliantly balanced in tannins and acidity. Really world-class. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec, it offers dazzlingly complex waves of blackberry and black currant fruit, with…
— S.H.
(11/1/2010)
97
points
Von Strasser 2002 Reserve Red (Diamond Mountain)
-
$100
Some great Cabs are drinkable when young, while others require patience. This is the latter sort. It’s a tough, young wine, dominated by dusty tannins leading to an astringent finish. But it’s incredibly fine, showing a balance and grace rare even in Napa Valley. As it warms up and breathes in the glass, it gets even better, giving tantalizing hints of ripe cassis…
— S.H.
(9/1/2006)
95
points
Von Strasser 2005 Sori Bricco Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain)
-
$70
From one of the oldest vineyards on Diamond Mountain, this Bordeaux blend is impressively powerful and balanced. Based on Cabernet, with small quantities of Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, it has oak-influenced black and red currant, cassis, cherry, spicy plum pudding and sweet, smoky vanilla flavors, with a cedar, pencil-lead note reminiscent of a fine…
— S.H.
(5/1/2008)
95
points
Girard 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain)
-
$75
Where Girard’s estate Cab is beautiful now, their Diamond Mountain bottling is one for the cellar. Veteran winemaker Marco DiGiulio has applied his considerable experience, with classic results. The wine is marked by firm tannins that make it astringent and sticky. But underneath all that is an explosion of currant, plum, licorice, chocolate and spicy curry flavor…
— S.H.
(12/15/2008)
94
points
Hall 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain)
-
$100
A wonderfully rich, complex and ageworthy Cabernet. It displays the impeccable winemaking from this winery, with deep, long flavors of blackberries, currants and chocolate, and while it’s drinkable now, those sturdy Diamond Mountain tannins should carry the wine forward for 6–8 years.
— S.H.
(7/1/2010)
94
points
Wallis Family Estate 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain)
-
$65
Rich, elaborate and layered. If this Cab were a fabric, it would be suede. Shows the tannins and minerals of Diamond Mountain, with potent flavors of blackberries, cherries, currants, cola, anise and sweet smoky oak. The finish is wonderfully dry, firm and long. Should develop for at least eight years.
— S.H.
(10/1/2011)
94
points
Coniglio 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain)
-
$60
Coniglio specializes in appellation-specific bottlings from Napa Valley. With this Cab, they have captured the essence of Diamond Mountain. It’s a sturdy, tannic, ageworthy wine, with the density of flavors and complex structure that low-yielding mountain grapes give. Rich and appealing, it should develop over the next decade.
— S.H.
(6/1/2010)