Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Hidden Block Cabernet is deep ruby in color. The aromatics are bright and lively with notes of strawberry pie, black tea and tobacco.The palate is full and lush with plenty of finely structured tannins. The acidity balances the density and power nicely. This will age beautifully for 10 years.
Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot,1% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Perfumed and savory flavors of black cherry, cassis, cedar and graphite emerge from a structure of firm tannins and persistent mouthwatering acidity. This is a bold Cabernet Sauvignon accented by splashes of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, resulting in intensity and concentration with a full palate of flavor.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hidden Block shows a touch more cohesion and has beautiful red and black fruits paired with lots of spicy, dried herbs and floral aromas and flavors. It's upfront, charming, and nicely balanced, with supple tannins and outstanding length.
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James Suckling
Black cherries, red plums, blackcurrants, cedar, violets and baking spices on the nose. Full-bodied with plush, chewy tannins. Fruity and punchy with a warm finish. Drink from 2023.
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.