Our 11th Year !

$35

WA 89 (12/2007): The 2005 Cabernet Franc Diamond Mountain appears to be a better bet than the 2004. Its deep ruby color is accompanied by notes of mint, white pepper, blue and red fruits, a sweet entry in the mouth, medium body as well as elegance and length. It should drink nicely for 5-7 years.

2010

$50

WA 90 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Franc exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with attractive aromas of spring flowers, lavender, spice box, and blue and red fruits, and a medium-bodied, nicely concentrated style. The wine is long, rich and impressive although the tannins are soft. It should be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years.

2011

$60

WA 91 (10/2013): The 2011 Cabernet Franc may turn out to be even better than the 2010, an anomaly given the differences in these two vintages. It offers juicy, crunchy, black currant and black raspberry fruit intertwined with hints of licorice and spring flowers. Medium-bodied with good acidity and minerality as well as a long finish, this is an impressive 2011. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

2012

$70

VM 93 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Franc is a bit compact today, but it nevertheless shows plenty of character. Sweet tobacco, cedar, mint, anise, iron and a host of savory, ferrous notes begin to emerge over time, although the 2012 remains hesitant to show all its cards. This intense, powerful Cabernet Franc is going to need a few years to fully come together, but it is promising. Antonio Galloni.

WA 90-92 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Franc displays the ethereal characteristics of this grape. Intense, focused and complex, but never heavy, this dark ruby/purple-hued, medium-bodied 2012 reveals plenty of blueberry and raspberry notes intermixed with licorice and incense. With medium-bodied power as well as beautiful intensity, it should drink well for 10-15 years.

2013

$75

WA 93+ (12/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Franc from Oakville is another strong effort from Constant. This is a tiny production cuvée of only 95 cases. If you can find any, this is 100% Cabernet Franc, inky purple in color with loads of earth, volcanic notes, black fruits and tobacco leaf. It’s full, rich and potentially super-complex as it’s still almost like a barrel sample. This is a full-bodied, multi-dimensional beauty that should drink well for 15-20 years and be a big-time sleeper and surprise give it about 7-8 years time.

2014

$85

WA 92 (12/2016): The 2014 Cabernet Franc is a beauty, dense bluish purple in color with fragrant floral notes, blueberries and black raspberries, the wine is medium-bodied, but intense, complex and compelling. Despite the lack of weight, there is gorgeous fruit, an ethereal elegance and an almost sublime nature to this high-elevation Cabernet Franc from Diamond Mountain. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

2015

$90

VM 95+ (1/2018): In the late fall of 2015, I tasted Diamond Mountain Vineyards' Cabernet Franc out of barrel. From the very first taste, the 2015 was fabulous. Tasted today, from bottle, the 2015 confirms its status as a compelling, alluring wine of the highest level. A rush of black cherry, plum, chocolate, wild flowers and licorice emerges from the glass, but it is the wine's aromatic presence coupled with a palpable sense of mountain structure, that leave the deepest impression. Vinous readers won't want to miss this knock-out effort from Diamond Mountain Vineyards and winemaker Nigel Kinsman. (Drink between 2023-2040). Antonio Galloni.

1995

$75

WA 90 (12/1999): The 1995 Diamond Mountain Vineyard is an outstanding effort. Made with the consultation of Philippe Melka, this blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc offers scents of melted tar, loamy soil, black currants, and minerals. Well-crafted, with moderate tannin, this austere, medium-bodied effort exhibits a sweet mid-palate, excellent overall harmony, and the tell-tale lead pencil, toasty oak, and black currant fruit indicative of a high-class Cabernet. Although not weighty, the emphasis is finesse and complexity. It will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and will last for 15-16 years.

VM 88 (6/2016): Good medium red. Mellow aromas of plum, redcurrant, mocha, sweet butter and woodsmoke. Quite smooth and moderately sweet, with a firm spine of acidity carrying through the wine. A slightly herbal Cabernet Franc element lifts the finish but clashes a bit with the firm, granular tannins, leaving the back end a bit dusty, not to mention green. But there's no shortage of energy here. Stephen Tanzer.

1999

$85

WS 92 (11/2002): Firm and concentrated, a touch green and herbal, with spicy, peppery notes adding complexity to the hard bell pepper and currant flavors. Tightly wound, with dense tannins, wonderful structure and concentration for the cellar. Best from 2005 through 2014. 477 cases made.

VM 90-92 (6/2001): Deep, saturated ruby. Precise, high-pitched aromas of black fruits, licorice and violet. Dense and deep but bright and lively, with floral and minty nuances contributing to the impression of verve. Seems destined to be the purest wine yet from this estate. Finishes with big, chewy, toothfurring tannins and juicy, palate-cleansing acidity.

WA 87 (12/2003): The 1999 possesses a dark garnet/plum/purple color as well as a sweet nose of loamy soil, dried Provencal herbs, red currants, cherries, and spice. Medium-bodied with an austere, tough finish, I doubt aging will be beneficial, although the wine will survive for 10-15 years. Although not as bad as some of its peers, this is a poster child for over-priced Cabernet Sauvignon. This winery tends to turn out hard, tannic Cabernets that are largely deficient in fruit and texture, but are very complex aromatically.

2011

$65

VM 93 (5/2014): Saturated ruby. Expressive aromas of cassis, licorice, wild sage and minerals are accented by a violet topnote. Densely packed and suave, with intense dark berry and mineral flavors complemented by an herbal note. The smooth tannins hit the palate late, allowing the wine's finishing flavors of cassis and milk chocolate to build well. A lovely cabernet for the year. Winemaker Paul Hobbs noted that the conversion of sugars to alcohol was generally low in 2011, resulting in finished wines around 14.5%. Stephen Tanzer.

WA 89-92 (10/2013): The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a similar deep ruby/purple color along with smoky charcoal notes intermixed with blueberry and black currant fruit. Medium-bodied and not quite as substantial as the 2010, it is impressive in this challenging, irregular vintage. Consume it over the next 15+ years.

2012

$85

VM 93 (10/2014): Constant's 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is endowed with tons of inky blue/black fruits, iron, game, smoke, tobacco and licorice. A firm tannic spine gives the wine its structure and support, and while there is plenty of depth, the 2012 is quite open relative to many earlier vintages. I expect the 2012 will offer highly rewarding drinking for the next decade-plus. Antonio Galloni.

2014

$100

WA 93 (12/2016): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is slightly deeper ruby/purple, with lots of cassis, licorice and spice, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, rare elegance, finesse, beautiful purity and length. This is another stylish, quintessentially elegant wine that Napa Valley is not supposed to be capable of producing. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.

VM 90 (12/2016): CONSTANT's 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is aromatic and refined, but also a bit restrained by this estate's standards. Sweet floral and spice aromatics, dark inky fruit and mid-weight structure are some of the signatures. The 2014 is undoubtedly a pretty wine, and it will drink well with minimal cellaring, but I would have liked to see a bit more personality of site here. (Drink between 2018-2029). Antonio Galloni.

2015

$100

VM 96 (1/2018): Powerful, deep and exotic in the glass, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon captures the purest essence of this striking hillside site. Intense aromatics, sepia-toned fruit and muscular tannins all give the wine its distinctive personality. The 2015 simply pulses with energy and intensity in all of its dimensions. At times, the 2015 is a bit rustic. Then again, that is Diamond Mountain. This is a decidedly old school-leaning Cabernet from Diamond Mountain Vineyards. (Drink between 2023-2040). Antonio Galloni.

2010

Writing on Label

$70

VM 92 (5/2013): Good bright ruby. Slightly wild aromas of cassis, chocolate, mocha, cedar and leather. Sweet, pliant and suave, with dark berry and graphite flavors offering considerable early appeal. Broad, ripe but tame tannins spread out nicely to saturate the palate on the long aftertaste. Very nicely balanced wine. Stephen Tanzer.

2011

$65

VM 92 (11/2013): The 2011 Claret is gorgeous. Firm mountain tannins provide the backbone for an intense wine with tons of personality. The 2011 needs time to fully integrate, but it is impressive. This is a beautiful, polished wine from Constant. (Drink between 2017-2031). Antonio Galloni.

2013

$70

2014

$70

WA 89 (12/2016): The 2014 Proprietary Red Claret, which comes from both the Napa and Sonoma sides of Diamond Mountain, has fragrant floral notes with raspberry and blueberry notes – clearly cool-climate stuff. The wine has loads of elegance and is a stylish wine with medium body, lovely fruit, nothing out of balance and a soft, silky finish. It won’t make old bones, but for drinking over the next decade this is a delicious, complex blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot from this beautiful site atop Diamond Mountain.

2015