2016 HALL Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Critic Review
"...this brilliant wine boasts a huge nose of tobacco, violets, loamy earth, black truffle, and bloody, iron-laced blue fruits. It’s deep, layered, and concentrated on the palate, with an undeniable opulence and decadence that largely conceals its considerable underlying structure."
94 points | Vinous, Antonio Galloni
"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain) is laced with the essence of dark cherry, plum, menthol, spice, new leather and savory herbs. Vibrant and pulsating with energy, the 2016 has so much to offer. Mountain structure plays off the typically lush Hall fruit beautifully."
Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque, deep garnet with a classic Diamond Mountain nose—cocoa spice, dried herbs and lavender, black cherry, cola, and sassafras. The wine is immediately rich, dense, and focused on the palate with cascading flavors that do not recede. Dark chocolate and freshly tilled earth are accompanied by blackberry preserves, strawberry coulis, and refreshing minerality. The finish is lingering and echoes the round and opulent mid palate.
Lavender
Black Cherry
Dark Chocolate
Blackberry Preserves
Nestled in the northwestern hillsides of Napa Valley, the Diamond Mountain District is sparsely planted, with fewer than 550 acres under vine. This warm hillside appellation is perfect for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, the prevalent variety of the area. With porous, volcanic-derived soils, the vines produce distinctively earthy, chocolate-laced flavors, wrapped around rich, opulent tannins.
| Bottle Size | 750mL |
|---|---|
| Varietal Composition | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Barrel Aging | 22 Months in 80% New French Oak |
| Appellation | Diamond Mountain District |
| Vineyard | Vineyard Partners |
| Vintage Notes | The 2016 vintage marked the end of the drought years, although precipitation levels were still moderate to low. Near-perfect growing conditions continued throughout the summer with a few heat spikes that the valley is known for. Yields were a bit lower than normal, but the quality of the harvest was high. The resulting wine is rich and lush, with supple tannins and opulent, elegant finishes. Wines from 2016 are a fifth consecutive vintage of stellar Napa Valley wines. |
