In the 1960s, Al Brounstein bought a plot of land, in what is now known as Diamond Mountain District, to the north of Napa Valley. Since then, Al’s vision and tenacity has led Diamond Creek Vineyards to produce some of the most sought after, iconic wines from California.
Inspired by a wine appreciation class which he took at the age of 40, Al decided to quit his job as a Salesman to pursue a new calling – to emulate his two favourite wine regions, Bordeaux and Burgundy, in Napa, California.
Diamond Creek Vineyards was founded on the philosophy that different soils impart distinct flavours in a wine. Planted in 1968 on iron rich, red rocky soil, the Red Rock Terrace Vineyard comprises approximately 3 hectares of the total Diamond Creek estate.
Carefully sorted berries were cold soaked for 4 to 5 days and fermented from 7 to 9 days, pressed at dryness, then barreled down into select French oak barriques for élevage of 21 months in 100% new French Oak. The Coopers were: Tonnellerie Redmond, Tonnellerie O, Nadalie, Boutes and Ana.
The 2018 vintage gifted us a near-perfect growing season beginning in late February, unfolding into extended ripening and a slow, deliberate harvest beginning October 8 and ending November 6.
Red Rock Terrace is typically the second wine to be tasted in the line up of the three Cabernets from Diamond Creek. Coaxing aromas of bergamot, dark berries, café brûlot and graham cracker drift from the glass. Smooth and graceful, the palate is structured with ripe, mouthcoating tannins layered with black cherry, rhubarb, and interlaced with earl grey tea, iron and savoury dried herbs that lead to a long, rhythmic finish.
Napa Valley, California
78% Cabernet Sauvignon
13% Merlot
4.5% Petit Verdot
4.4% Malbec
Natural Cork