Mission Codename Diamonds Are Forever
A recent discovery for The Wine Spies and a massively popular new name amongst Operatives, Chamboulé is back! The hands that worked at Araujo and Reuling, as well as Dujac and Mugnier, institutions from the very peak of their respective pyramids of superiority, now bring you today’s featured red. Their 96-rated Chardonnay we featured last month was such a hit that we went back for more, to our pleasant amazement, at the very same 50% deal we present to you… a Cabernet blend worthy of the greatest cellars and feasts!
Black, purple and blue like a moonless night, with an inky neon glowing edge. Aromas of dark fruits such as black currants, blackberries, and dusty minerals dominate the alluring nose. Full-bodied with wonderful depth and intensity, voluptuous while restrained on the captivating palate. Powerful and long on the finish, with amazing depth and build, slowly grabbing your attention and putting you under its spell. A silky cashmere-textured red, the velvety tannins could use some time to reach an ideal drinking window, or a cut of steak to help mellow the massive endowment here.
Equally fascinating and reputable is the source of this extraordinary wine. The Constant Vineyard is perched at the peak of Diamond Mountain, at 2,100 feet, authoritatively situated high above the Napa Valley, and sharing the rugged Diamond Mountain District AVA with the likes of Diamond Creek, Lokoya, and Thorevilos, owned by Abreu, all names rightfully deserving numerous 100-point scores thanks to their unique microclimates. Robert Parker once declared; “this breathtakingly beautiful vineyard on the top of Diamond Mountain, straddling the Napa and Sonoma county lines, is making a bevy of interesting and potentially long-lived wines” yet besides Constant itself, we’ve never seen a winery that could get their hands on this prized fruit to make a vineyard designate.
Chamboulé was deemed worthy of taking this vineyard to a whole new level with its impeccable winemaking. With only 9 barrels made and only offered via a mailing list, this Wine Spies exclusive was never reviewed by the winepress, and that’s a good thing because it straddles with perfection. With 50% savings this is one of the most exclusive and delicious Napa Valley reds we have ever seen. For less than 40 bucks, you’re getting a wine 10 times as tremendous.
The 3 components that make the PERFECT Wine Spies find are all here:
1) ASTOUNDING focus on quality, resulting in impeccable wines.
2) EXCLUSIVE access to wine once available via a mailing list only.
3) UNREAL pricing, thanks to their generosity that we pay forward.
Last, but not least, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate boasts a massive 98-point rating for 2016 as; “the best, most consistent Napa Valley vintage among a string of 5 great years… what I particularly love about the character of the 2016s is a kind of effortlessness about the wines - like a child possessing natural beauty from the get-go.”
Here is what the wine press has to say on Chamboulé and Constant Vineyard:
Antonio Galloni, Vinous - “Chamboulé is headed by François Morissette and winemaker Matt Taylor, who took over with the 2014 vintage. Taylor’s resumé includes stints at Joseph Swan and Araujo, an internship at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, and his current role at Reuling. At Chamboulé, Taylor makes big, powerful wines… Perched atop Diamond Mountain, Constant is one of the most dramatic properties in Napa Valley. I have long felt these wines had the potential to even be better than they are…”
What the Winery Says
2016 Constant Vineyard Diamond Mountain Red
- Winemaker
- Matt Taylor
- Vigneron
- François Morissette
- Varietals
- 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Cabernet Franc
- Vintage
- 2016
- Appellation
- Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
- Alcohol
- 14.2%
- TA
- 6.2 g/l
- pH
- 3.81
- Harvest date
- September 20, 2016
- Aging
- 12 months in 600L demi-muid French oak
- Production
- 9 barrels