Diamond Mountain Wine Experience - Constant Vineyards & Winery

Diamond Mountain Wine Experience - Constant Vineyards & Winery

Our visit to Diamond Mountain reached the 'summit' with a visit to CONSTANT Diamond Mountain Vineyard and winery at the top of the mountain, sitting at over 2100 feet elevation. It also is among the oldest wineries in the valley with history dating back to the late 1800's.

We visited on a completely overcast day and it was spectacular - one can only imagine the incredible vistas on a 'normal' sunny day. It will be worth a return trip to find out. 

 

Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon

Sitting at the top of the Mayacamas range, Freddy Constant grows Bordeaux varietals offered under his own Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard label.  He also bottles Constant Diamond Mountain Queen of Diamonds Shiraz with grapes grown on the only Sonoma vineyard on Diamond Mountain.

Constant wines tasted:

• Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
• Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
• Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Franc 2006
• Constant Diamond Mountain Syrah 2006

 

 

 

Constant Diamond Mountain hillside vineyards
as seen from historic winery cottage.

Constant Diamond Mountain hilltop vista
with 'infinite' vineyard views

Freddie Constant telling the Constant
Diamond Mountain story.

 

 

 

Picturesque winter vineyard views
from tasting house

Constant mountaintop tasting house - cozy even
on an inclement day.

Diamond Mountain Wine Experience - Diamond Creek Vineyards

Diamond Mountain Wine  Experience - Diamond Creek Vineyards

A trip to Napa Valley Diamond Mountain by the serious wine enthusiast or collector would not be complete without a visit to the legendary Diamond Creek Vineyards. Founded in 1968 by the late Al Brounstein, a visionary pioneer who defied conventions of the time by planting Bordeaux varietals on secluded Diamond Mountain in the Mayacamas Range at the north remote end of Napa Valley.

Diamond Creek is a case study in terroir - each of its four vineyards with its own micro-climate, soil type and geography that are revealed in their single vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon wines - named for their four distinctly different origination vineyards. The vineyards of Diamond Creek are Gravelly Meadow (5 acres - center left), Red Rock Terrace (7 acres front), Volcanic Hill (8 acres opposite), and Lake (¾ acre), plus Petit Verdot (1 acre) to the left outside of frame. The vineyards as pictured below, are amazingly co-located close to each other yet have distinctive individual characteristics that are revealed in their wines.

The chateau and tasting room offer a magnificent setting and view of the vineyards on the slope and meadow below and of the opposing hillside.

Diamond Creek offers an elegant tasting experience showcasing their wines harmonized by Diamond Creek cabernet sauvignon reduction with petit beef tenderloin and artisanal cheeses.

Diamond Creek dinner tasting.
Thomas Arvid painting above fireplace in background.
(See below)

The limited production highly allocated wines amazingly reflect the character of their source site. Boots Brownstein carries on the Diamond Creek tradition.

Our tasting group with 'Boot's' Brownstein

Diamond Creek Wines Tasted -

Diamond Creek Tasting Flight

Wines tasted -

• Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
• Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
• Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
• Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

What a wonderful opportunity to do a horizontal tasting of Diamond Creek vineyard select wines. There really is unique character revealed in each wine. We each had our favorite - all were spectacular.

Diamond Creek Art - 

Another special treat of visiting the winery is to see the legend of Al Brownstein living on in the display of his original artwork (shown below) that was used in the Diamond Creek Thirtieth Anniversary commemorative labels for the 2002 vintage vineyard select cabernet sauvignons.

Diamond Creek wine painting montage by Thomas Arvid graces the fireplace in the tasting room.
More on Thomas Arvid art.

Special wines for special occasions -

We served a horizontal selection of each Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from magnums at the wedding of our son Ryan to Michelle Diamond! Several magnums were birth year vintages.

Diamond Creek horizontal magnum tasting including birth year vintages served at Ryan and Michelle's wedding.

Bill and Beth Connolly shown above in attendance, served birth-year vintage 1982 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon from double magnum at the wedding of son Will and Kate Jandl.

Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon 1982 Double Magnum served by Connelly's at Will and Kate's wedding.

We featured Diamond Creek in a horizontal Napa cabernet tasting dinner held at the Fairmount Hotel in Chicago with Bill & Beth C, and California friends Gigi & Michael P, Andy & Liat, and Phil - who came in to town for the occasion. Also featured were Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and Dominus Estate. 

 

Gala Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon dinner tasting - Diamond Creek, Dunn, and Dominus

And yes, there is the actual Diamond Creek. Spectacular settings and views on the vineyard grounds.

 

 Other vineyard views .....

Diamond Creek Lake Vineyard

Diamond Creek Lake Vineyard

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace

More Diamond Creek Winery Pics on Rick's UnWindWine.com.

Also see other Diamond Mountain producer Constant Vineyards and Winery blog.

Mt Veeder Appellation Trail - Yates Mt Veeder Family Vineyards

Finally after more than a dozen years of wine trips visiting various wine regions, we learned the discipline and organization of focus! When we now visit Napa Valley, we focus on one appellation at a time. Recent Napa Valley trips focused on Howell Mtn, Spring Mtn, and Atlas Peak. This trip we dedicated to Mt Veeder, with a day also so dedicated to Diamond Mountain. We have long known and enjoyed Mt Veeder wines - notably the legendary Mayacamas, the popular Hess, the producer namesake Mt Veeder, and the popular Robert Craig Mt Veeder cabernet, one of his collection of single mountain designated cabs. According to my Cellartracker records, we hold Robert Craig Mt Veeder cabernet for every vintage from 1993 thru 2007 with the sole exception of 2003. Can you spell library? And this weekend we dropped in at Craig's tasting room and tasted the 2008 vintage!

We also visited Rubissow Vineyards and Winery high atop Mt Veeder.

If not for simplicity, from a logistical standpoint, we start at the top of the Mountain and work our way down. You can select the metaphor for this strategy. To that end, we started our assault of Mt Veeder at the top at Yates Family Vineyard. Note the designation Vineyard, over Winery, as the Yates family have been farming the property for sixty years producing and selling top quality fruit to producers who bottle under their own label - no doubt popular producers we know, and others. Due to the heritage of the original developers from Europe back in the 1800's, the property was originally planted in German and Alsatian varietals. Over time these have been replaced with the traditional Bordeaux varietals that are now most popular on Mt Veeder - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,and some Cabernet Franc.

Yates Family Mt Veeder Vineyard

In recent years, Proprietor Mike Yates aided by his daughter Whitney Yates Hanes have worked together as Co-Winemakers to produce wines under the Yates label. They estate bottle under a standard varietal designate labels as well as a Reserve. They also produce a St Emilion style blend and a left bank Bordeaux blend Alden Perry Reserve named for family patriarch Mike's grandfather, Perry and father Alden, who shifted to the Bordeaux varietals in the early fifties, (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc). Produced in small quantity of less about 200 cases, we tasted from a 375 as this was SOLD OUT in standard bottles. We also tasted their Viognier 2009.

Yates Family Vineyards historic wine-house.

We were greeted by Mary Yates who otherwise handles the books, and her husband Todd Jones who has taken over sales and marketing duties. On the property still sits the historic ghost winery built back in the 1800’s and operated then as “Castle Rock Vineyard”, which we toured. Ironically, early product was shipped in barrel to Chicago where it was then bottled and sold as Claret from a retail store on Wells Street, although its not known whether that was North or South Wells.

W/ Mary Yates Jones and Todd Jones of Yates Family Winery and Vineyards.

Mike Yates of Mt Veeder Yates Family Vineyards

Yates Family Wines tasted:

Recommended Wines - 

Yates Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 

Dark deep inky purple color - complex and full bodied, the black berry and black cherry fruits were accented by dusty rose petals, tones of dark bittersweet chocolate, spice, and a layer of leather on a smooth tannin finish. This should integrate and gain polish over five years and last ten more. RM 91 points.

Yates Family Vineyard Cheval Cabernet Franc 2007

Spicy black berry, clove and cassis. Winemaker Tasting Notes - A deep, dark ruby appearance with hints of graphite and toast on the nose that finish with dry rocks and cigar tobacco. Strong flavors of espresso with small splashes of clove and cardamom. Dark chocolate covered cherries with cassis. Intense mountain fruit lingers on the palate and finished with supple tannins. RM 91 points.

Yates Family Vineyard Fleur de Veeder Merlot 2007

Winemaker notes - Nicely balanced and plush Merlot, beautifully exhibits the quality we’ve come to expect from Mount Veeder. The enticing bouquet of red berries, smoldering spices and mint lead to intense flavors of crushed raspberry and black cherry. Dark chocolate and a hint of anise add to the complexity. Round and full mouth tannins complete the smooth and lingering finish. 202 Cases Produced - RM 90 points.

Tasting Yates Family Wines

Check out Yates Family wines - small production crafted wines that reflect the true terrior of Mt Veeder. We look forward to receiving our Yates wines and trying upcoming vintages and offerings to come.

Our Mt Veeder Tasting Group at historic and picturesque Yates Family Vineyards

Mt Veeder Appellation Trail - Rubissow Mt Veeder Vineyards

Mt Veeder Appellation Trail - Rubissow Mt Veeder Vineyards

One of the highlights of our Napa Valley Mt Veeder appellation wine experience was our visit to Rubissow Vineyards. We also visited Yates Family Vineyards and Winery high atop Mt Veeder.

Rubisow, founded by George Rubissow and Tony Sargent, the Mt.Veeder estate is planted in Bordeaux varietals. George and Tony go back to the 1960's when George also struck up a friendship with, and gained invaluable advice from, the legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. Today, after twenty-five years, George has handed over operations to the next generation, Ariel and Peter Rubissow who are in their third year carrying on the family tradition of quality crafted mountain vineyard wines.

George Rubissow and the original Rubissow Sargent Label.

Rubissow Wine Flight

Wines tasted:

Rubissow Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - Complex, concentrated, full bodied - winemaker notes - deep brambly richness, black currant, graphite, clove, kirsch, raspberry jam, smoke, dark caramel. The Bordeaux blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot , 3% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. RM 92 points.

Rubissow Mt Veeder Merlot 2006 - Soft, elegant, polished - flavorful - winemaker notes - rich flavors of brandied cherry, red raspberry, plum, herb, bay, cocoa nibs, coffee, roasted morels. RM 91 points.

Rubissow Trompettes 2005 - Medium bodied - subdued elegance - winemaker notes - Forward, perfumed aromatics of blueberry, coffee, and cocoa, amidst a rich floral background. Plush blueberry / vanilla flavors, balanced tannins, good acidity and soft minerality carry through the very long finish. The blend is Cabernet Franc 65% Merlot 25% Cabernet Sauvignon 10%. Less than 200 cases were produced. RM 90 points.

Rubissow-Sargent Reserve 2006 - Dark, full bodied, complex, rich and powerful - blackberry, blackcurrant, layer of vanilla bean turns to sweet, toasted oak and subtle herbal notes with balanced tannins on a long complex finish. RM 90 points.


The Rubissow hilltop vineyard looks to Carneros south with views in the distance of Mt Diablo to the west of San Francisco Bay and Mt Tamalpais in Marin to the north of the golden gate.

Rubissow Hilltop Vineyard looking out to San Pablo Bay

Bill C and Bill C Tasting With George Rubissow

George telling the Rubissow Story to porch tasters

Rick and Linda with George Rubissow

Rick and Bill with George Rubissow

Rubissow Hilltop Vineyard

Rubissow Road Vineyard

Tasting on the porch at Rubissow

Picturesque Mt Veeder Rubissow Vineyards

Rubissow's Barbara Jura leading estate grounds walk

OTBN - Winners and Losers - Everybody Win(e)s

Its that time again... OTBN - Open That Bottle Night, conceived for those that have a special bottle of wine or champagne hidden away being saved for a special occasion that for whatever reason hasn't happened.  Every year since 2000, on the last Saturday night in February, Open That Bottle Night (OTBN) has been celebrated - the time to uncork and enjoy that cherished but here-to-for elusive bottle. OTBN was conceived by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, wine columnists for the Wall St. Journal (wine@wsj.com). They realized they weren't alone - having that special bottle set aside for an occasion that just never happens. On this night, you don't need an excuse or a reason - just do it! Take advantage of OTBN to open that bottle and enjoy it! Enjoy it by yourself, or better yet, enjoy it with someone special, or with a group. Have everyone bring such a bottle and let the story telling begin, because amazingly, every OTBN bottle has a story or some meaning. Let the fun begin. 


So I spent the morning digging around in the cellar and found many candidates. So I decided to set aside those anniversary year bottles - those of the birth-years of the kids, and other special anniversary years. Those bottles have a reason for opening and their circumstances are set.Tonight is for that bottle lacking a reason - but for its own reason its special in some way. 



Here is a selection of bottles I found that were candidates - according to the criteria that they are getting old, need to be consumed and since I've been holding them for so long, they must be worthwhile and be for waiting for a reason. Why else would there be twenty, thirty-five (41 actually) year old bottles languishing down in the cellar!?! Several Bordeaux - two from 1982 - okay set those aside - birth year of #1 son, a 1975, and a 1970 - okay high school graduation year.. tonight?

Okay, so here is my runner-up for OTBN 2011 - a 1978 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon - it certainly must be time to drink this, ya? Fill level looks good, there is hope... 

Here is my selection for OTBN 2011 -  Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape 1978 .

More to follow as the saga/evening unfolds and the OTBN selection (s) is unveiled - er uncorked !

 

 Final Flight - OTBN Selection -  Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape 1978, Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1978, Cliff Lede Howell Mtn Chardonnay 2004, Freemark Abbey Edelwein Johannisberg Riesling Late Harvest Gold 1999,  Domaine Bruco Clair Cazetiers Premiere Cru Gevrey Chambertin Borgnogne 1993 and Freemark Abbey Bosche Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1986 (brought by Bill), Redheads Studio Return of the Living Red Cabernet Touriga NV (brought by Dan), and Clarendon Hills Baker's Gully Vineyard Clarendon Syrah 2003.

The wines accompanied a dinner of beef tenderloin, medallions of lobster, twice baked potato, and salad, followed by fresh fruits and chocolate fondue. Starters included artisan cheeses - Fair Oaks Farm five year old aged sharp cheddar,  blueberry infused goat cheese, and a selection of olives. Attendees were Rick & Linda, Bill & Beth, Dr Dan & Linda, and Lyle and Terry.

Most Interesting Bottle - Redheads Studio - Return of the Living Red N.V. - RM 91 points - 

Interesting blend of NV (non-vintage) Australian Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga, a 'lost' varietal - hence the name. Dark garnet color, full bodied, thick chewy, almost shiraz like coating the tongue - forward black and blue fruits, ripe black raspberry turns to a tone of spice, hint of cedar and kirsch on a full, moderate soft chewy tannin finish. Brought by Dr Dan. The bottle was a gift from his brother. 

Clarendon Hills Baker's Gully Vineyard Clarendon Syrah 2003 - RM 91 points: Dark garnet inky color. Full bodied, thick chewy, almost coating the tongue - forward black and blue fruits, ripe black raspberry turns to a tone of spice, hint of cedar and kirsch with a slight metallic/mineral undertone - ends with a full, moderate soft chewy tannin finish.

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape 1978  - RM 88 Points - Medium bodied - slight opaciity - garnet color - subdued black cherry fruit was overtaken by leather and a subtle tone of cigar box tobacco turning to anise on the moderate finish. Surprisingly moderate in density, color, fruit and finish. I remember buying this bottle on release (for $11.99) I have one more bottle left - the fill level was good and the cork fine although starting to be a bit soft. Still life left but I don't see long longevity in this wine

Jordan Vineyard & Winery Estate Bottled Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1978 - RM 88 Points.Opened two hours and it wasn't ready to drink although was approachable - it needed four or five hours to open and truly reveal itself ... fill level was good - low neck - cork was firm and tight - moderate garnet and slightly brownish color with slight opacity - medium bodied. After the funk wore off the subdued fruit of black berry and black cherry started to show - offset by leather, tobacco, hints of anise and tar on a modest finish. Nearing if not at end of life but not yet deteriorated. Still bears the original price tag of $19.95 although I don't remember purchasing this bottle. A perfect selection fitting the occasion OTBN. Given its age I was surprised it held up as well as it did. Another testament to the provenance and suitability of our cellar to age wines for decades. Lyle picked this as his favorite!   http://cellartracker.com/w?64348

Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Bosché Vineyard 1986 - RM 90 points. Dark purple color - medium - full bodied. Surprising vibrancy, breadth and depth to this 25 year old! Full forward fruit of black raspberry, black berry, and black cherry with a subtle tart tone, hints of leather and anise with moderate well integrated tannins on a lingering finish. Perhaps the surprise of the OTBN evening.  

Domaine Bruco Clair Cazetiers Premiere Cru Gevrey Chambertin Borgnogne 1993

Freemark Abbey Edelwein Johannisberg Riesling Late Harvest Gold 1999 - RM 90 - Weak tea colored, medium-full bodied honey citrus flavors - slightly more subdued than last tasting two years ago, with a slight smokey finish.

Wine and Dine Virginia - Corkage Fee Bill Passed - Hooray

In a time when it seems government is becoming more and more obtrusive its refreshing to read that the Virginia State legislature just passed a corkage fee bill to allow BYOB in restaurants. Hooray for Virginia and its legislators - presuming the governor has the good sense to sign it! Isn't it fitting or at least ironic that I read this on OTBN day as I troll the cellar looking for a special bottle for this evening.

A Corkage Fee is charged by a restaurant for serving a customer's BYOB (bring your own bottle) wine. A corkage fee will reflect the restaurant's policy and willingness to accommodate such practices. Naturally restaurants rely on beverage revenues to support their business so it is reasonable and customary to charge for the handling of BYOB wines. My strong and emotionally charged opinion is that proper protocol dictates that restaurants should honor and accommodate collectors who bring special bottles from their cellars - aged, hard to find, or notable wines, or vertical or horizontal selections for special dinners. It is reasonable for them to discourage BYOB customers who simply reduce their cost of dinner by buying 'retail' and offsetting the restaurant margins on the wine. Reasonable corkage fees should range from $10 to $25 for a moderate to upscale restaurant. Reasonable margins on wine would render this practice unnecessary except where the wine-list does not offer sufficient breadth or depth or selections for one's preference or taste. Naturally we frequent restaurants proportionately to their reasonableness and liberalness of their corkage policy. Many restaurants allow BYOB with a very modest or no fee. This should be taken into account and factored into the tip and or patronage loyalty. Read my Wine Journal on http://www.unwindwine.com and see how we seek out and support restaurants that offer BYOB with liberal (fair) corkage fees. Usually restaurants are reasonable in these matters. Those that are not should be avoided as there are many alternatives in the marketplace. 

Of course with the privilege of bringing your own wine comes obligations of proper BYOB corkage fee etiquette. See http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/corkage-for-dummies