Mission Codename: Diamonds are forever

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Locate and procure a Diamond District Cabernet Sauvignon that embodies the best that the unique region has to offer

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: von Strasser Winery

Wine Subject: 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Rudy von Strasser

Backgrounder: Best known for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, von Strasser Winery in Napa Valley’s scenic Calistoga, is a new Wine Spies favorite! Where 2004 was a fantastic year for Napa Valley Cabernet, we feel that today’s ready-to-drink 2005 Diamond District Cabernet Sauvignon also has incredible potentialfor aging – if you have the patience.

The Diamond District AVA (American Viticultural Area) sits at the northern most tip of the Napa Valley, in the Mayacamas Mountains. The higher elevation of the region sees more direct sunlight and less cooling that the rest of the valley, leading to the production of some of the most concentrated and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon in the entire Napa Valley.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Rich ruby red with a deep and inky heart of garnet, concentrated color right out to the edges of the wine with a speedy surface and long spindly legs that begin high up on the glass

Smell – Bright blueberry and cherry-chocolate dust at first, followed closely by darker fruits of dark plum and blackberry, with vanilla custard and dark cherry

Feel – Leads off with a beautiful roundness and a smoothness, up front, then quickly becomes more full-bodied. The wine coats the mouth as lush and medium tannins kick in at the mid-palate and rear

Taste – Dusky and deliciously dark, but with bright notes as well, integrating layers of flavor, including plum, dark berries, mocha and dark cherry

Finish – A Long finish, with lingering flavors cherries, chocolate and ripe dark fruits that tail off gently

Conclusion – A stellar offering from von Strasser winery, this perfectly balanced and richly delicious Cab is among the best we have tried of late! When we think Diamond Mountain Cabernet, we often think of diamond-hard edges and massive tannins. Not so with this fine wine, where flavor, balance and bright acidity reign supreme. Its no wonder that von Strasser is so revered!

Guest Reviewer Alert!

Today, we welcome back Agent Noir from grapelive.com. What follows are his thoughts on today’s wine:

“This classic big Napa Mountain Cab has plenty of fruit and lush texture with ripe tannins. The pretty dust berry fruit leads the way on the palate with plum, blackberry, currant, and cassis adding to the layers of flavors in the mouth. The body is full and rich with a big round feel in the mouth. The spicy sweet oak is done in a perfect lifting way, giving hints of smoke and vanilla. This is an impressive wine to take seriously and should get even better over the next 3-5 years.” -Agent Noir

Mission Report:

While my life is almost completely consumed with wine, I do have other interests. One of them is treasure hunting.

I am constantly receiving intel for my assets around the wine industry – and sometimes that intel has noting to do with wine.

Recently, I received a report that the world famous Diamond District, in the norther tip of the Napa Valley, was so named because a cache of stolen diamonds was buried high up in the Mayacams mountains, among some of the fines Cabernet Sauvignon grapes known to humankind.

This report included clues to the specific whereabouts of the diamonds, valued at an estimated $5 million. My source provided a map, general coordinates and a few old photographs from the 1920’s. I agreed to a 50/50 split and set of to Napa.

Once up in the Mayacamas, a gorgeous vine-covered region at the northern tip of the Napa Valley. Juggling the old photos and my portable GPS, I managed to make my way what was almost certainly the right vicinity.

[beep.boop.beep beep.boop.beep]

An open wine glass? Up here? My Wine Spies PDA is never wrong, and that alert was difficult to believe. Utilizing the PDA’s direction finder, I made my way toward the wine. I made my way down a vineyard row, turned a corner – and witnessed a remarkable sight: A small table with a white tablecloth with a single glass of wine atop it!

I approached the table and saw that its surface was strewn with… with… loose diamonds! My heart raced. Ignoring the note card that sat next to the wine glass, I grabbed a diamond and examined it with my jewelers loop. My heart sank. These were no diamonds. Instead, just fakes.

I stood there for a moment, stunned. Eventually, I snapped out of it and reached for the card. It read, “Agent Red. My apologies for the subterfuge. To make it up to you, I have arranged a special allocation of a very special wine for you. Sincerely, [CENSORED] – von Strasser Winery.”

This note was significant and I felt instantly better. I had been trying to infiltrate the von Strasser Winery for months. Their wines, particularly their Cabernet Sauvignon, is the stuff of legend.

I grabbed up the glass, inhaled deeply, and took a sip. Heavenly.

Then, my phone rang.

“Agent Red. [CENSORED] here, from von Strasser….”

The rest is obvious, dear Operative, for today you have a unique opportunity to sample one of the best Cabs from one of the best regions – by one of Napa Valley’s best wineries.

Diamonds? Who needs diamonds, when you have a wine this good?

Cheers!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The gorgeous location of the steeply sloping von Strasser vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.