Diamond Creek Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon - Gravelly Meadow 2002

95 / 100 Robert Parker
The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow comes from a 5-acre vineyard planted on stony and gravelly soils. While it is the most evolved and forward of this trio, it is by no means fully mature as it easily needs 3-5 more years of cellaring. Aromas of wet rocks, smoky barbecue nuances, vanillin, black currants, graphite and chocolate emerge from this full-bodied, opulent, somewhat austere red. The great purity and exuberance of Napa Cabernet fruit is underlaid by a Bordeaux-like tannic structure. A sensational effort, it will easily last another 2-3 decades. These three extremely youthful and impressive wines from Diamond Creek Vineyards are all backward and in need of 5-7 years of additional cellaring. By the way, each of these three vineyards has the exact same percentage of grapes (88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) planted in them, which makes comparing them fascinating.
201, The Wine Advocate