Dyer Vineyards - Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

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 2021 Dyer Vineyards Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon is an impressive achievement from an extraordinarily challenging vintage, marked by extreme heat spikes and tiny yields following the stress imposed on the vines by the previous year's fires. With five years of bottle age, the wine has integrated exceptionally well, revealing both the power of the vintage and the distinctive character of Diamond Mountain's volcanic soils. Deep ruby in color, it offers gorgeous aromas of cassis and blueberry layered with leather, cedar and dried flowers. The palate is concentrated yet remarkably composed, with ripe dark fruit carried by a firm mineral core and tannins that have softened beautifully with age. As the wine unfolds, the fruit becomes increasingly nuanced, revealing savory and earthy details before building to a powerful, persistent finish. This is a wine that demonstrates just how compelling Cabernet from a top-tier producer can be even in a vintage defined by adversity. Enjoy with grilled or roasted beef, braised short ribs, venison, lamb shank or a richly prepared mushroom dish.