From notes taken July, 2006, served throughout dinner at Fascino in Montclair. All of these wines are breathtaking and merit special attention. Al, you were a genius and far before your time!****1975 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace: An elegant, pretty wine, though not at all fragile. Sweet red fruit (Necco wayfers – as John C recalled), grilled meats, mocha, a hint of white pepper on the palate. Full and lush with a long drying finish. To me a very Margaux like wine (that from a Palmer junky), from the best vintage and vineyard. 50% of the group scored this their favorite wine of the evening. Outstanding.
*****1976 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow: Wow! Liquid minerals, black licorice, deep, deep concentration. Great balance, finesse. Perfect, lingering finish. I am not sure I can adequately describe this wine other than to say that it possesses all of the qualities I admire in a cabernet, without subtraction. My favorite of the evening and a wine to search for like the grail. Reminiscent of Haut Brion in truly great vintages.
****1979 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill: I would have guessed 1988 Lafite if pressed. Very Paulliac. Strength, deep black fruit, menthol, lead pencil, chalky minerals. Giant, palate staining palate and puckery finish. Muscular.
****1983 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow: Another mind blowing wine. Deep red fruit, even more pronounced minerality, Malabar pepper, an “autumnal” wine (Gary Rosen). Wonderfully sophisticated. My second favorite wine of the evening.
***+1983 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill: Complex elements of iodine, mocha blueberry, minerals long, fresh and very youthful - the backbone of this wine is still very prominent. More of a fruit driven style, as I find Volcanic Hill to be. Integrated finish.
***(*)1992 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace: Wow. I cannot believe how young this wine seems to me. 1992? It boggles my mind. Young, lush crushed red fruit, chocolate, earth, floral elements, long and firmly tannic on the finish. Hold for 10 years and enjoy this wine as it takes on added complexities.
****(*)1992 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow: Big, brawny, palate signature of minerals, red fruit, hints of tobacco. A true vin de garde, this wine also needs to sit for a while and soften a bit. It is wonderful but still not that approachable. My 3rd favorite (sensing a trend here?).
***(*)1992 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill: Here again – Paulliac like, brooding, black, chalky fruit, black truffles, graphite…like looking into a deep, black well. Another 10 years before it can be truly appreciated and then drink over 2X that term.
*****1976 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow: Wow! Liquid minerals, black licorice, deep, deep concentration. Great balance, finesse. Perfect, lingering finish. I am not sure I can adequately describe this wine other than to say that it possesses all of the qualities I admire in a cabernet, without subtraction. My favorite of the evening and a wine to search for like the grail. Reminiscent of Haut Brion in truly great vintages.
****1979 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill: I would have guessed 1988 Lafite if pressed. Very Paulliac. Strength, deep black fruit, menthol, lead pencil, chalky minerals. Giant, palate staining palate and puckery finish. Muscular.
****1983 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow: Another mind blowing wine. Deep red fruit, even more pronounced minerality, Malabar pepper, an “autumnal” wine (Gary Rosen). Wonderfully sophisticated. My second favorite wine of the evening.
***+1983 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill: Complex elements of iodine, mocha blueberry, minerals long, fresh and very youthful - the backbone of this wine is still very prominent. More of a fruit driven style, as I find Volcanic Hill to be. Integrated finish.
***(*)1992 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace: Wow. I cannot believe how young this wine seems to me. 1992? It boggles my mind. Young, lush crushed red fruit, chocolate, earth, floral elements, long and firmly tannic on the finish. Hold for 10 years and enjoy this wine as it takes on added complexities.
****(*)1992 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow: Big, brawny, palate signature of minerals, red fruit, hints of tobacco. A true vin de garde, this wine also needs to sit for a while and soften a bit. It is wonderful but still not that approachable. My 3rd favorite (sensing a trend here?).
***(*)1992 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill: Here again – Paulliac like, brooding, black, chalky fruit, black truffles, graphite…like looking into a deep, black well. Another 10 years before it can be truly appreciated and then drink over 2X that term.
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