Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
North-facing Red Rock Terrace is a steeply terraced vineyard. The rocky, red-tinted soil is high in oxidized iron content, and because of its northerly aspect, the grapes receive less direct sunlight. With one of the estate’s warmest microclimates, Red Rock Terrace is typically the second wine to be tasted in a line-up of Diamond Creek’s four Cabernets Sauvignon.
Other Vintages
2019-
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator -
Connoisseurs'
Guide
-
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling -
Wine &
Spirits -
Connoisseurs'
Guide -
Wine
Spectator
-
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Connoisseurs'
Guide -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator -
Wine &
Spirits
-
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling -
Connoisseurs'
Guide -
Wilfred
Wong -
Wine
Spectator -
Wine &
Spirits
-
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine &
Spirits -
Wine
Spectator
-
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling - Decanter
-
James
Suckling -
Connoisseurs'
Guide -
Wine &
Spirits -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
- Vinous
- Decanter
-
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine &
Spirits
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Connoisseurs'
Guide
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine
Spectator -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine &
Spirits
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Diamond Mountain is the northernmost mountain appellation in the Mayacamas Range, on the northwest side of the valley floor, above the town of Calistoga. Defined mainly by elevation, vineyards are planted at 400 to 2,200 feet.
Diamond Mountain vineyards receive plenty of sunshine at these elevations and are typically above the coastal fog line. But given its western proximity, the area still easily cools down from early morning and late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes. The AVA (American Viticultural Area) covers 5,000 acres but just over 500 acres are under vine.
Diamond Mountain soils, mainly weathered, red sedimentary rock and decomposed, volcanic ash, are infertile, quick-draining and produce small, thick-skinned grapes, bursting with chewy tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Zinfandel have great success here.
Like other sub-appellations in Napa Valley, the Diamond Mountain area had no shortage of pioneer winemakers. Rudy von Strasser led the effort for Diamond Mountain to acquire AVA status in 1999.