Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 1993

About the Winery: The late Al Brounstein founded Diamond Creek Vineyards on a Diamond Mountain site long considered too cool to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon. Brounstein nevertheless planted Cabernet, using "suitcase" Bordeaux clones rumored to have originated at Château Haut-Brion, and the winery claims to be the first Napa Valley estate to exclusively produce Cabernet Sauvignon. Al's wife Boots (the list of winemakers famous enough to go by one name is very short) managed the winery until her passing in 2019 at the age of 92.  About the Wine: Diamond Creek Vineyards single vineyard bottlings are universally recognized in the top tier of New World Cabernet Sauvignon. They age like fine Bordeaux, and this 30 year-old Gravelly Meadow, from a terroir that evokes the wines of Graves, was released directly from the winery's cellars earlier this year. Smoke, tobacco and spice complement cherry and red currants.