2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow

There is little question the Diamond Creek Cabernets are richer and more approachable young than they used to be. At the same time, the house style remains very much rooted in a sense of classicism. The 2010s are sexy wines that look like they will offer many years of fine drinking. Diamond Creek's 2011s are just as impressive, especially in light of the challenging growing season. Winemaker Phil Steinschreiber did a lot of bleeding to give the wines more concentration and used 100% new oak, all of which these Cabernets appear to have handled quite well. Diamond Creek always releases on the late side, so I was not able to taste the 2012s or 2013s. In short, readers will find much to admire in these new and upcoming releases from one of Napa Valley's reference points.

Over the years, Diamond Creek has produced a number of Napa Valley's most iconic wines. Today, the Diamond Creek Cabernets are bigger and richer than they used to be. The vineyards are older, but the estate is also choosing to pick at higher levels of ripeness. Given how structured and unapproachable the Diamond Creek wines were, my sense is that these developments are more positive than negative. Even today, the estate's Cabernets are massive and tannic relative to most other Napa Valley Cabernets, only less so than in the past. Winemaker Phil Steinschreiber describes 2010 as a tricky vintage with quite a bit of sunburn that required considerable sorting. The 2010s are all mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with dollops of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.