Diamond Mountain Creek Vineyards
There are a handful of California wineries that qualify as icons. Diamond Creek Vineyards is among them. Southern California pharmaceutical wholesaler, Al Brounstein, pioneered Cabernet Sauvignon on Napa Valley’s Diamond Mountain with the purchase of 80 acres in 1967, on the advice of renowned wine consultant André Tchelistcheff. The story goes that Al smuggled Bordeaux vines from France to Mexico, then piloted them himself to California to start his venture.
The fabulous wines we featured:
2000 Volanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
- 93 points, Connoisseurs. Guide
Tasting Notes: Deep to medium ruby color, nuances of blackberry, cola and anise. Velvety mid-palate with flavors of black fruit, currants, cherry and cassis. Some wonderful warm toasted oak on the finish and a hint of cocoa.
2003 Volanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
- 93 points, Connoisseurs. Guide
- 91 points, Wine & Spirits
Tasting Notes: The volcanic ash soil of Volcanic Hill lends its unique character to the nose of rich currant fruit and cassis. Expansive aromas are heightened by black cherry, chocolate, vanilla and a hint of smoke. Complex flavors peak with rich, mouth-filling cassis, dark chocolate and black cherry. The finish is silken, rich and complex.
Winemaker's Notes
Brounstein unabashedly admits that his cuttings were smuggled from premier cru vineyards in Bordeaux. The three distinct soil types on our 20-acre property in Napa (Volcanic Hill, Red Rock Terrace and Gravelly Hill) create elegant Cabernets with great depth and richness, honored and cherished by connoisseurs the world over.
Napa Valley
Boots Brounstein & Phil Ross
Phil Steinschriber