2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow

One of Napa Valley's historic estates, Diamond Creek celebrates their 40th anniversary with the 2012 harvest. Readers will see bottles with special black labels in memory of founder Al Brounstein. As for the wines, well, they are as huge as always, but with perhaps a bit more accessibility than is the norm. Diamond Creek makes three main Cabernets, plus in some vintages a smaller selection from the Lake Vineyard, which in 2012 was mostly bottled in large formats. All of the Cabernet vineyards on the property are co-planted with bits of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, but the wines are usually 85-90% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are aged in 100% new oak, although some lots may see a second new barrel towards the end of aging.