Dyer Vineyards - Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Bill and Dawnine Dyer are no strangers to the California wine scene: Bill spent 20 years with Sterling Vineyards and has consulted at Miramar Torres Estate in the Russian River Valley, Sodaro Winery and Frogs’ Leap Winery in Napa Valley, as well as Church & State Winery and Burrowing Owl Vineyards in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley; Dawnine Dyer spent 25 years as the winemaker at Domaine Chandon as well as making the first 8 vintages at Sodaro. Between them, Bill and and Dawnine have degrees in Biology, Enology and Philosophy. They planted the 2.3-hectare Dyer Vineyard on Diamond Mountain in 1993, producing the first vintage in 1996. The Dyer wines are the ultimate expression of the Diamond Mountain's volcanic soils.

The 2016 Dyer Vineyards Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a warm, dry vintage reminiscent of 2013, and it has developed beautifully with bottle age. The nose opens with a deep, inviting impression of dark fruit and dried flowers, followed by more savory nuances of graphite, cedar and subtle herbs. On the palate, layers of blackberry, black currant and dark cherry are framed by refined tannins and a firm mineral character that gives the wine both structure and poise. There is a supple, almost seamless texture here, but beneath the polish lies the distinctive stony character of Diamond Mountain, carrying the wine through a long, mineral-driven finish. Approachable now yet clearly capable of further evolution, this is a classic expression of Cabernet that balances power with remarkable finesse. Enjoy with filet mignon, grilled lamb chops, roasted rack of beef or a mushroom and truffle risotto.