2004 | Diamond Creek | Gravelly Meadow (Magnum)

Planted in 1968 on pebbly brown soil, the Gravelly Meadow Vineyard wonderful reds with a profile that evokes freshly tilled earth, currant, plum and ripe blackberry flavours, well-defined, elegant tannins and a mineral, persistent finish.

Reviews:

• Wine & Spirits: Gravelly Meadow unfolds into delicious, supple richness in 2004, its floral cherry and rose scents underscored by firm minerality. This grows on a gravel wash left behind by floods along Diamond Creek, where Phil Steinschriber tends the cabernet vines to tame the potent tannins so they feel irresistible rather than austere. One taster compared the feel of it to a mink coat. Steinschriber says the '04 vintage was earlier than usual, and "fast and furious," with all the vineyards ripening at the same time (September 27 through mid-October). Gravelly Meadow is a beauty to drink now and over the next 20 years.

• Whisky Advocate: From the first, this deep, densely filled youngster conveys serious Cabernet intent, and its complex combination of optimally ripened currants, loamy spice and neatly balanced oak is the stuff of high varietal achievement. It is supple at entry and tightens a bit as it goes with nominal tannins lending the right bit of grip to its lingering finish. Although a bit tough, the wine shows a fine sense of polish all the same, and it has all the hallmarks of an ageworthy effort that will develop famously for another ten years and more.

Producer Information

The winery was founded by Al and "Boots" Brounstein. Al, the former owner of a successful pharmaceutical business in Los Angeles, got into wine when taking a class at UCLA on French wine appreciation. After working a few harvests at Ridge Vineyards, he decided that he wanted to have his own property. He visited a then unplanted property on Diamond Mountain. After consulting with the famed Andre Tchelistcheff and Louis Martini, he purchased it and planted it all to Cabernet Sauvignon. After Al passed away in 2006, Boots ran the winery with her son Phil Ross until her death in 2019. The following year the business was acquired by the Rouzaud family of Maison Louis Roederer, who had known the Brounstein family since the 1990s.
Diamond Creek Vineyards lies at about 800ft (245m) of elevation. Warm valley air rises along Diamond Creek from the northeast. These are balanced by cool ocean breezes from the west. There are three distinct soil types in its three main vineyards. These are largely separated by small lakes, Diamond Creek itself, and tree blocks. However all have a section which looks onto a pond in the center of the property. Red Rock Terrace (7 acres/2.8 hectares) sits on a steep hillside with iron-rich soils, facing northwest and overlooked by the winery. It is in a warmer part of the property and produces Cabernet Sauvignon that is more approachable in its youth than other Diamond Creek offerings. Gravelly Meadow (5 acres/2ha) is located on an old riverbed, and has shallow, alluvial soils with exceptional drainage. Low-yielding vines produce concentrated, tannic fruit. Volcanic Hill is the largest site at 8 acres (3.2ha), named for its grey-volcanic soils and its hilltop location. It is considered to produce the most ageworthy Cabernet Sauvignon. In certain years, Diamond Creek also produces a Lake Vineyard Cabernet from the three-quarter-acre (0.3ha) plot of that name to the west of Gravelly Meadow across another small lake. However, this is the property's coolest macrooclimate, and in most years the fruit does not get ripe enough to meet the strict standards here.

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