The Wall Street Journal reported on a tasting of 50 "expensive American Cabernet Sauvignons" in their November 5, 2004, edition. When all was said and done, Diamond Creek was at the very top of the list of favorites along with other luminaries such as Dalla Valle, Opus One and Joseph Phelps Insignia. The combination of elegance and power that typify Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon was undoubtedly the reason for this excellent result.

The property, planted in 1968, is on three distinct soil types with the vineyard named after the soil: Volcanic Hill, Red Rock Terrace and Gravelly Meadow. Production of Diamond Creek wines is always very limited and we always feel honored to be able to offer them. We had the opportunity to taste them at our Wine Association seminar last Thursday. Our abbreviated tasting notes follow.

Volcanic Hill, the largest and warmest of the three vineyards, has gray soil with the consistency of volcanic ash. The wines from this vineyard seem to be the longest-lived of the Diamond Creek wines. Our tasting notes include: "A giant of a wine!" . . . "Long on fruit, flavor and tannin" . . . "In the style of a great Latour!"

Red Rock Terrace (shown above, with Volcanic Hill in the background) faces the winery and features red-tinted soil that is high in iron content. RRT produces the most accessible of Diamond Creek's wines. The 2005 vintage is fruit-filled and wonderfully delicious. One of those wines about which you just say, "Wow!"

Gravelly Meadow is the smallest and coolest of the three vineyards. It was originally a prehistoric riverbed. The soil drains quickly, causing the vines to struggle for moisture, which results in low yields and highly concentrated wine. Our notes: "More austere than RRT" . . . "Big, rich and full-bodied" . . . "Very well-balanced."

Diamond Creek 2005 Cabernet Sauvignons will come in 6-packs, with 2 bottles from each of the vineyards. The normal suggested winery price of the 6-pack is $1,050.00 ($175.00 per bottle). We are offering it to you at a special futures price of just $840.00 per 6-pack - a discount of 20% (that's $140.00 per bottle when you purchase a 6-pack on pre-sell) - with delivery scheduled for October of this year. Single bottles, usually $175.00 each, are available on a limited basis for $157.50 per bottle.

Believe us when we say that these are absolutely stunning wines. Diamond Creek fans . . . past, present and future . . . will love them!