Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (75cl, 14.5%)

A single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet blend at 14.5% ABV, awarded 98+ points by Wine Advocate. The Volcanic Hill vineyard covers eight acres on a south-facing slope of volcanic ash deposited from Mt. Konocti. The 2018 blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5% Merlot, 8.7% Malbec and 2.8% Petit Verdot, sustainably farmed and entirely hand-harvested. The vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Petit Verdot. The nose opens with wild blueberries, chocolate-covered cherries and boysenberries, with violets, loam, graphite, sassafras, fragrant earth, fresh basil and a mineral waft of crushed rocks. The palate is textural and enveloping, with cassis, pomegranate, blackberry, blood orange, cedar, cacao and coffee, plus violets and spices. The finish is lasting and layered, with dark fruit, fragrant earth and subtle vanilla pod.