Rating:
96
Robert Parker - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon The Vineyardist, which spent 21 months in 100% new French oak--mostly Taransaud, but some Darnajou--is a small cuvée of only 125 cases. It is s big-time winner for the vintage and, as spectacular as it is, the owners may have eclipsed it with their 2015, but let’s wait until that latter vintage is in bottle. The 2014 reveals loads of minerality, nice smoky, earthy notes intermixed with pen ink, blackcurrant, graphite and spice box. It is dense and rich with terrific fruit extract and in many ways behaves more like a 2013 than your more supple and fruit-forward 2014s. This is a great effort from Diamond Mountain, capable of lasting 25-35 years. - Robert Parker
Product Description:
"The 2014 Vineyardist is made entirely from estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Diamond Mountain AVA at elevations up to 1,300 feet. Using the oldest of the estate's vines, grapes were harvested at yields close to 1 ton per acre and barrel aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak. This is a complex wine with aromas of ripe blackberries, mountain berries, graphite, black cherries, violets and crushed stone. Hints of suede, espresso, rose petals, and fruitcake fill the nose. The mouth is huge with flavors expressing currants, black strawberries and gooseberries. This is contrasted by the substantial tannins, which are supple and velvety. This is a beautifully balanced wine: concentrated, plush, rich and candied, complemented by seamless tannins and a profound finish." -Mark Herold, winemaker
