2008 Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard Claret

Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard was founded by Freddy and Mary Constant. The couple established Diamond Mountain Vineyard in 1993 when they bought a dilapidated but historic farmhouse high on Diamond Mountain. At 2121 feet above sea level, it may be the highest, or certainly one of the highest, vineyards in the region. The couple had backgrounds as radio station entrepreneurs but their plan on Diamond Mountain was to grow and sell grapes to winemakers. However with the 1995 vintage they started making very small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon under their own label and by 1999 Wine Spectator wrote that Constant was “a new can’t miss Cabernet…this vineyard is able to produce stunning wines on a consistent basis.” Constant produces very small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Claret and Syrah from estate vineyards. The wines are generally available only through Constant’s mailing list. Freddy Constant died in 2014.

Diamond Mountain District AVA is in the Mayacamas Mountains at the northwestern end of Napa Valley. The appellation is relatively high and the entire district is more than 400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet above sea level. Because of their altitude, Diamond Mountain vineyards experience warmer days but colder nights than vineyards on the valley floor. Once volcanic soil, the terrain in the appellation has over time become less fertile, making grape growing particularly challenging. Nevertheless the district has attracted wine producers for more than a century. There are 500 vineyard acres out of a total of 5,000 acres. Among the highly regarded wineries here are Lokoya Winery, Diamond Creek Vineyards and Schramsberg Vineyards. Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are generally firmly structured, rich and quite tannic. Chardonnay is full-bodied with apple and peach aromas and firm acidity.