Dyer Vineyard

Years ago when I worked for Seagram Classics in Los Angeles, I met Bill Dyer for the first time. It seemed an odd fit for a man like Bill to be at Sterling Vineyards, a big, corporate winery. Still, he spent twenty years there as winemaker. His wife Dawnine spent twenty-five years at another mega-facility, Domaine Chandon.

Finally ready to go it alone, in 1993 they planted 2.2 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon on a jewel of a twelve-acre parcel in the Diamond Mountain District of Napa, part of the foothills of the Mayacamas range just south of Calistoga.

The family-owned and operated estate produces minute quantities (just 250 cases of this 2002 release) of high caliber Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain’s signature wine.

This Cabernet is polished and elegant, in a very understated style, with cassis, fresh mountain air, cherry, and tar notes. It is full and softly textured with fine grained tannins, subtle fruit, and a long, bright, lively finish. Decanting will allow the full character of the wine to show itself, as will a bit of time in the cellar.

Reviewed November 8, 2006 by Catherine Fallis.