Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Dyer Vineyard ~ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Grown On Diamond Mountain

Cabernet Sauvignon is often called the “king of grapes” and that is certainly true in Napa Valley’s Diamond Mountain District.  It is perhaps the most widely planted grape in the world, rising first to prominence in France’s Bordeaux region where it thrives and where the reputation for high quality wines is historic.  Flavor in red wines is extracted from the skins during fermentation, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with it’s small berries and thick skins, makes wines that are highly colored, flavorful and have a tannin structure that ensures age-ability.  In Napa Valley, this is accentuated in the hillside AVAs where well-drained soils ripen grapes with extremely small berries and reduced yields making for intense, concentrated wines with high typicity and great structure.  Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape in Napa Valley’s Diamond Mountain District and here at Dyer Vineyard it is 78% of the vineyard.  The two blending varieties grown at Dyer Vineyard are Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.


Vintages Available

2017 – Current Release

Our latest release is the 2017 vintage. The season began with a wet spring and rapidly evolved into a summer better remembered for its frequent heat events. We had record high temperatures in September and harvested on October 6, 2017 with small berries, concentrated flavors and a bright acidity. Fires broke out in Napa County on October 8. The blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.
“Vibrant color. Blackberry cassis aromas with hints of violet, anise and sandalwood. Lush and juicy on the palate balanced by a bright acidity.”

— BILL & DAWNINE

What The Critics Are Saying…

“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is gorgeous. Bold, lush and voluptuous in the glass, the 2017 Cabernet is an example of the vintage at its very best. In 2017, Dyer’s Cabernet is a bit richer and darker than it usually is, and yet the wine retains its mid-weight, sense of structure. There is so much to look forward to.”  94pts

ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS

“A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot from the Dyer vineyard, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain has a deep garnet-purple color and gives up crushed blackcurrants, blackberries and black cherries with touches of kirsch, cedar chest and tilled earth. Medium to full-bodied, rm and with beautiful layers, it has great vibrancy and an uncommon depth for this vintage, nishing on a mineral note.”  94-96pts

LISA PERROTTI, WINE ADVOCATE JAN 2018

2009 – Library Wine

2009 was one of the latest, longest, and coolest vintages in our 26 years here on Diamond Mountain. It was a season designed to preserve the true varietal Cabernet character and to show off our mountain structure without a lot of high octane muscle. As it ages it has developed characters most reminiscent of a classic Bordeaux with notes of martini olive and warm cedar layered onto the fruit.

A mild summer set up a late harvest when heat in early October brought grapes to the threshold of ripeness. Just as we thought we had made it, a massive early season storm approached the coast and we hedged our bet by picking half the vineyard before 5 inches of rain deluged Diamond Mountain. 2 weeks later, we picked the balance of the vineyard and it was this portion, left to hang on the vine until Oct 26 that produced the best flavors. We chose to bottle only this portion. The final blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.

Only 170 cases were produced and 22 were held back as library wine.

“We’re loving the 2009 Vintage right now- and not just in our own wine but in general. It was an overlooked, “challenging” vintage that has rewarded aging especially well. It might have been difficult to anticipate the elegance that has developed over time… see below for the the critics take on release.”

— Bill & Dawnine

What The Critics Are Saying…

“The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain is rich and sensual. There is plenty of fruit to stand up to the tannins in this generous, inviting Cabernet. Sweet tobacco, licorice, herbs and tar wrap around the polished finish.”  91pts
– ANTONIO GALLONI, WINE ADVOCATE

Visit our store to explore all our currently available vintages and size formats.  Have questions?  Feel free to contact us.