2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow
Buying options
Tasting notes
Lastly, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow sports a dense purple color as well as lots of ripe Bing cherry, red plum, gravelly earth, and cedarwood-like aromas and flavors. These carry to a medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that has solid depth of fruit, nicely integrated acidity, yet a slightly dry, chewy finish. While both this and the Volcanic Hill release have subtle smoke taint, it's even more subtle here and this certainly has plenty to love. Nevertheless, I would lean toward drinking bottles if you have them.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is ample and full in feel. Dark fruit, scorched earth, licorice, chocolate, spice, leather and menthol fill out the layers effortlessly. Somber and brooding, the Gravelly Meadow has a lot going on. It clearly needs time to be at its best. Firm hillside tannins add to a feeling of gravitas. There is real weight and substance here.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is ample and full in feel. Dark fruit, scorched earth, licorice, chocolate, spice, leather and menthol fill out the layers effortlessly. Somber and brooding, the Gravelly Meadow has a lot going on. It clearly needs time to be at its best. Firm hillside tannins add to a feeling of gravitas. There is real weight and substance here.
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow sashays out of the glass with opulent scents of crème de cassis, preserved plums and red currant jelly with hints of Chinese five spice, candied violets and beef drippings plus a waft of chocolate mint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals a good concentration of red and black fruit preserves, while the tannins are just a little rugged with a chewy/stewed texture. It is a little hard and charred on the back palate/finish. The blend this year is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc. It was aged for 22 months in French oak, 100% new.
About the producer
Diamond Creek, Napa’s first single-vineyard Cabernet estate, has defined terroir-driven winemaking since 1968. Founded by Al and Boots Brounstein, the winery pioneered site-specific Cabernet, producing age-worthy wines from Gravelly Meadow, Red Rock Terrace and Volcanic Hill.