Winemaker Notes
This wine opens with a burst of ripe plum that quickly envelops the nose. Continuing on this dark fruit theme, the scent quickly transitions to a pleasing layer of blackberry and black currant jam. These flavors carry over to the palate as well, where they are met with spicy characteristics formed during the 22 months this wine spends aging in French oak barrels. A nice intensity brings balance to the flavors, making this the perfect Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with any steak or hearty beef dish.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Matera Hidden Block Cabernet Sauvignon is quite concentrated from start to finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine brings aromas and flavors of black fruit, oak, and licorice to the fore. Pair it with a savory and stout Irish stew. (Tasted: October 5, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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.