Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Volcanic Hill is one of the four single-vineyard Cabernets that Diamond Creek has bottled since 1968, when Al Brounstein planted separate plots on the steep slopes of Diamond Mountain in Napa Valley. This wine comes from the Volcanic Hill block, named for its pale, volcanic ash soils, which drain hard and limit vigour so the vines yield small, concentrated berries with thick skins. The mountain's elevation brings cool nights and a wide diurnal swing that preserves acidity and slows ripening, giving the wine its tension and dark, firm fruit. After fermentation it ages eighteen months in 225-litre French oak barriques: the small-format barrels give a high wood-to-wine ratio and steady oxygen exchange that builds structure and folds in cedar, vanilla and toast, while the tannins polish and integrate. The colour is deep and opaque. The nose is rich and complex, with blackcurrant and plum over dark chocolate, black pepper, tobacco and oak spice. The palate is full bodied and powerful, with firm, fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and a long, structured finish that rewards cellaring. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted well ahead. It suits prime rib, grilled steak and lamb.