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What We Say 2006 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
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Mission Codename: Diamonds are Forever – Part Duex
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Return to von Strasser to procure a Diamond District Cabernet Sauvignon that embodies the best that the unique region has to offer
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: von Strasser Winery
Wine Subject: 2006 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker: Rudy von Strasser
Backgrounder: Best known for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, von Strasser Winery in Napa Valley’s scenic Calistoga, has been a long time Wine Spies favorite! Where 2004 and 2005 were a fantastic years for Napa Valley Cabernet, we feel that today’s ready-to-drink 2006 Diamond District Cabernet Sauvignon also has incredible potential for aging – if you have the patience.
The Diamond District AVA (American Viticultural Area) sits at the northern most tip of the Napa Valley, in the Mayacamas Mountains. The higher elevation of the region sees more direct sunlight and less cooling that the rest of the valley, leading to the production of some of the most concentrated and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon in the entire Napa Valley.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep and dark garnet in color that shows just a few glistening reflections through its dense but clear core. Along the edges the color fades just slightly and when swirled, fast randomly spaced thin legs ring the glass.
Smell – Medium bold in intensity with ripe aromas of blackberry, blueberry and cassis layered over complex notes of floral violet and sweet vanilla oak, a touch of anise, mocha coffee and dark chocolate provides tremendous depth and richness.
Feel – Round and plush with supple fine grained textured tannins and balanced acidity that coats the palate and lingers long into the finish. Not quite chewy, but not far from it.
Taste – This wine has classic California Cabernet flavors with the distinct earthy/mineral character of Diamond Mountain. Wild bramble blackberry, blueberry, and plum with sweet fresh oak, herbal and floral notes with a touch of minerality from the volcanic soil of the vineyard. Complex flavors of dark chocolate and anise add to the rich and plush flavors that continue long into the finish.
Finish – Long and lingering rich flavors are supported long into the finish by the supple and textured tannins of this wine, making the mouth water and inviting another sip.
Conclusion – The 2006 von Strasser Winery Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a lovely and elegant Napa Cab from a great vintage. Enough complexity to keep things interesting but not so much that it gets in the way of the great rich and dense fruit. Enjoy this wine right now with grilled meats and also try, if you can, to keep a few bottles stashed away in the cellar to enjoy in the future.
Mission Report:
While my life is almost completely consumed with wine, I do have other interests. One of them is treasure hunting.
I am constantly receiving intel for my assets around the wine industry – and sometimes that intel has noting to do with wine.
Recently, I received a report that the world famous Diamond District, in the norther tip of the Napa Valley, was so named because a cache of stolen diamonds was buried high up in the Mayacams mountains, among some of the fines Cabernet Sauvignon grapes known to humankind.
This report included clues to the specific whereabouts of the diamonds, valued at an estimated $5 million. My source provided a map, general coordinates and a few old photographs from the 1920’s. I agreed to a 50/50 split and set of to Napa.
Once up in the Mayacamas, a gorgeous vine-covered region at the northern tip of the Napa Valley. Juggling the old photos and my portable GPS, I managed to make my way what was almost certainly the right vicinity.
[beep.boop.beep beep.boop.beep]
An open wine glass? Up here? My Wine Spies PDA is never wrong, and that alert was difficult to believe. Utilizing the PDA’s direction finder, I made my way toward the wine. I made my way down a vineyard row, turned a corner – and witnessed a remarkable sight: A small table with a white tablecloth with a single glass of wine atop it!
I approached the table and saw that its surface was strewn with… with… loose diamonds! My heart raced. Ignoring the note card that sat next to the wine glass, I grabbed a diamond and examined it with my jewelers loop. My heart sank. These were no diamonds. Instead, just fakes.
I stood there for a moment, stunned. Eventually, I snapped out of it and reached for the card. It read, “Agent Red. My apologies for the subterfuge. To make it up to you, I have arranged a special allocation of a very special wine for you. Sincerely, [CENSORED] – von Strasser Winery.”
This note was significant and I felt instantly better. I had been trying to infiltrate the von Strasser Winery for months. Their wines, particularly their Cabernet Sauvignon, is the stuff of legend.
I grabbed up the glass, inhaled deeply, and took a sip. Heavenly.
Then, my phone rang.
“Agent Red. [REDACTED] here, from von Strasser….”
The rest is obvious, dear Operative, for today you have a unique opportunity to sample one of the best Cabs from one of the best regions – by one of Napa Valley’s best wineries.
Diamonds? Who needs diamonds, when you have a wine this good?
Cheers!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The gorgeous location of the steeply sloping von Strasser vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
von Strasser Winery
Awards & Accolades:
91 Points – Wine Enthusiast – A good, rich and complex Bordeaux blend, with ripe fruit and plenty of smoky new oak, but also very tannic. The flavors are classic Napa, of blackberries, black currants, sour black cherries, tobacco and cedar. Should develop through 2012.
90 Points – Wine & Spirits – Tart fruit flavors of blackberries give this Cabernet a frisky feel. The fruit is clean while the tannins carry a touch of bitterness and funk, which should develop into complexity as the wine ages.
“Best Steak Wine” – Food and Wine Magazine, April, 2007
About This Wine:
The 2006 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of select distinctive vineyards, all within the Diamond Mountain District AVA. The lots are specifically chosen for their unique combination of concentration, bright fruit aromas and elegance. This wine is loaded with cassis, berries and violets on the nose and sweet, supple tannins on the palate. Softer and more elegant in style than the vineyard designated wines, this impressive Cabernet will excite the palate today or age gracefully for 10+ years.
About The Winery:
The von Strasser Story – With a family connection to Eric de Rothschild, Rudy wrote a letter asking to do an internship at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. Each year the Chateau had been hiring an intern from the French winemaking program at Montpellier. Thinking that two minds are better than one, Mr. Rothschild invited Rudy to work for the 1985 harvest as their first American intern. (The result was so successful, that each year since the Chateau has chosen a new Davis graduate to work as an intern at the winery.) Rudy returned to Napa Valley in the spring of 1986 and was hired as the enologist at Trefethen Winery and Vineyards. In 1988, he became the assistant winemaker in charge of production at Newton Vineyards in St. Helena.
Shortly after their marriage in 1989, Rudy and Rita von Strasser set out looking for a vineyard property to make their home. Having already developed a deep passion and talent for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Rudy was committed that the property must be in a microclimate blessed with the ability to grow and produce the finest red wines in Napa Valley; wines worthy to carry the von Strasser family name. Serendipitously, the old Roddis Estate Winery on Diamond Mountain had just been put on the market, and in the spring of 1990, the von Strasser label was born.
The history of the property reads like a who’s who of early California Cabernet History. After being denied a permit to turn his estate into a golf course, William Bounsall decided to subdivide his property, and in 1968 sold 1/3 of his property to Albert Brounstein. Canadian born, Al pioneered the modern decade of winemaking in this AVA by planting Cabernet Sauvignon in three distinct vineyard sites and bottling each separately under the name Diamond Creek Vineyards. The next year, 1969, Bounsall himself decided to get into the grape business and planted 2 acres to Cabernet Sauvignon with bud-wood from the famous Martha’s Vineyard. In 1978, Bill Roddis bought the Bounsall ranch and started Roddis Cellars. The wines were made by Andre Tcheistcheff, and in their days where considered by many to be the biggest wines made in the Napa Valley. In 1985, the winery was sold to the Gilby family (British gin), who used it as a corporate retreat. The vineyards, now totaling about 7 acres, were leased to Pine Ridge Winery, who bottled the grapes separately as their “Diamond Mountain” Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1990, Rudy and Rita von Strasser bought the property and began the fulfilling task of renovating and modernizing the estate and the vineyards to make the property one of the gems of Diamond Mountain.
The building that houses the winery is an historic barn that was built in the late 1880’s. Through careful planning it has been remodeled into a modern winemaking facility while retaining its working-ranch charm. To take full advantage of the hillside location and to better control the variables of winemaking, the von Strassers added caves to their property. Dug into the virgin hills, these caves retain an ideal climate for barrel aging, and average temperature of 55 degrees and an average humidity of 80%.
Technical Analysis:
Alcohol: 13.5%
