Diamond Creek Offer - Only the rich need apply

[Nate_Simon]

2007 be like, “I’m back, suckas…”

[David_Baum]

1995 is stellar.

Which cuvee?

Have had some stunning bottles from mid 80’s

[Charlie_Carnes]

It’s like politics today: push and push until things break.
Thing is, Diamond Creek has always been expensive cabernet. I remember in the late 80’s, when the ‘big names’ (like Montelena, Stags Leap, etc.) were selling around what…$28-35 or so, DC was already up to around $50 (if I’m remembering correctly. If not accurate about prices, I am about the notable range).

You’re right as a general matter. I remember that, as a well-paid young lawyer in the 80s, Diamond Creek was out of my price range at a time I was buying super-second Bordeaux.

Ditto for me but in the 1990s.

But I always did wonder. And now that I think about it, I’ve actually never even tried a bottle. And yet, sadly for me, have had several Screagles, Harlans, Sacrecrows, Mayas, Hundred Acres, yada yada. Besides Maya, the others were yawners.

Now I’m curious again. What mature vintages should I consider?

I’ll bring one over for the next round of bacchanalian fun…

[Howard_Cooper]

I have had some stunning wines from Diamond Creek, including a 1978 Volcanic Hill that was better (at least on the night we tasted it) than a 1979 Lafite. But, that wine was made by Al Brounstein, who unfortunately has passed away. I have not had any DC wines of more recent vintages. Who is making the wines now and are they still up to the standards of the wines made by Al Brounstein.

[Dave_McCloskey]

Shhhhhhhh, Realm Cellars “The Bard”.

[Eric_Ifune]

Back in the 80’s they would hold their annual picnic where you could taste the new releases. Things have changed, I guess, since Al and Boots passed. But yes, they were for a long time the most expensive wines in the valley.

[Levi_Dalton]

Boots has not passed away. She is 92 and lives on the property.

[Markus_S]

It does seem that Napa is going to get its butt kicked by Bdx if it doesnt stop these massive increases. I know Roy Piper is a great guy and his wine is awesome but he had two 20% increases in like 4-5 years going from $125 to $175, there are dozens more doing the same. It doesnt matter that cost of living goes up in Napa, the market will eventually revolt against regular 20% hikes. Diamond Creek is now more expensive than some really well known Bdx futures like Montrose, LLC etc and more than almost all non first growths except maybe Palmer

That is unfair…Roy pays the market price for fruit and prices his wine accordingly based on COGS. Most Bordelais, for as much as they may have paid for the land, own their property.

I’m a little tired of this argument because economic theory would suggest that, therefore, you (as a consumer) would simply procure the less-expensive alternative…all things ‘being equal’. So we ought to drink more Bordeaux!

[ToddFrench]

Boots has not passed away. She is 92 and lives on the property.

And frankly, when I went to the Diamond Creek website yesterday to check it out (I’m guessing DC got a few orders from this thread and the universally positive remarks about the wine, other than current pricing, maybe) and saw that the properietor’s name is Boots, and saw her pic and her message on the site, I just about signed up to buy as well. Freakin’ Boots! AWESOME!

[Mark_Golodetz]

I have had some stunning wines from Diamond Creek, including a 1978 Volcanic Hill that was better (at least on the night we tasted it) than a 1979 Lafite. But, that wine was made by Al Brounstein, who unfortunately has passed away. I have not had any DC wines of more recent vintages. Who is making the wines now and are they still up to the standards of the wines made by Al Brounstein.

Al Brounstein was a real character, obsessed by three things, his wife,Boots, the different Terroirs of DC, and finally how much people would pay for the Lake.

He showed me an article that put it in the top five.

[Dave_Nerland]

It does seem that Napa is going to get its butt kicked by Bdx if it doesnt stop these massive increases. I know Roy Piper is a great guy and his wine is awesome but he had two 20% increases in like 4-5 years going from $125 to $175, there are dozens more doing the same. It doesnt matter that cost of living goes up in Napa, the market will eventually revolt against regular 20% hikes. Diamond Creek is now more expensive than some really well known Bdx futures like Montrose, LLC etc and more than almost all non first growths except maybe Palmer

That is unfair…Roy pays the market price for fruit and prices his wine accordingly based on COGS. Most Bordelais, for as much as they may have paid for the land, own their property.

While I buy very few Napa Cabs anymore, I would continue to buy Roy’s wine. The price is fair compared to other wines, Roy is a great guy and I would rather support someone I know and like than some of the other options available. I dropped Harlan, Colgin, Araujo, as well as many others. To each his own.

[ToddFrench]

I have had some stunning wines from Diamond Creek, including a 1978 Volcanic Hill that was better (at least on the night we tasted it) than a 1979 Lafite. But, that wine was made by Al Brounstein, who unfortunately has passed away. I have not had any DC wines of more recent vintages. Who is making the wines now and are they still up to the standards of the wines made by Al Brounstein.

Current winemaker is Phil Steinschreiber, never heard of him - anybody?

[Anton_D]

It does seem that Napa is going to get its butt kicked by Bdx if it doesnt stop these massive increases. I know Roy Piper is a great guy and his wine is awesome but he had two 20% increases in like 4-5 years going from $125 to $175, there are dozens more doing the same. It doesnt matter that cost of living goes up in Napa, the market will eventually revolt against regular 20% hikes. Diamond Creek is now more expensive than some really well known Bdx futures like Montrose, LLC etc and more than almost all non first growths except maybe Palmer

That is unfair…Roy pays the market price for fruit and prices his wine accordingly based on COGS. Most Bordelais, for as much as they may have paid for the land, own their property.

While I buy very few Napa Cabs anymore, I would continue to buy Roy’s wine. The price is fair compared to other wines, Roy is a great guy and I would rather support someone I know and like than some of the other options available. I dropped Harlan, Colgin, Araujo, as well as many others. To each his own.

I am happy to be able to buy Roy’s fine wine.

He is my exemplar of the perfect proprietor.

[Howard_Cooper]

It does seem that Napa is going to get its butt kicked by Bdx if it doesnt stop these massive increases. I know Roy Piper is a great guy and his wine is awesome but he had two 20% increases in like 4-5 years going from $125 to $175, there are dozens more doing the same. It doesnt matter that cost of living goes up in Napa, the market will eventually revolt against regular 20% hikes. Diamond Creek is now more expensive than some really well known Bdx futures like Montrose, LLC etc and more than almost all non first growths except maybe Palmer

That is unfair…Roy pays the market price for fruit and prices his wine accordingly based on COGS. Most Bordelais, for as much as they may have paid for the land, own their property.

So, all the Bordelais need to sell their properties (too many have already done so to banks and insurance companies) so that the new owners can sell the wines for market value?

[Howard_Cooper]

I have had some stunning wines from Diamond Creek, including a 1978 Volcanic Hill that was better (at least on the night we tasted it) than a 1979 Lafite. But, that wine was made by Al Brounstein, who unfortunately has passed away. I have not had any DC wines of more recent vintages. Who is making the wines now and are they still up to the standards of the wines made by Al Brounstein.

Al Brounstein was a real character, obsessed by three things, his wife,Boots, the different Terroirs of DC, and finally how much people would pay for the Lake.

He showed me an article that put it in the top five.

Years ago, at a MacArthur’s barrel sample tasting of California wines, I mentioned to Boots that I had recently had their 1978 Volcanic Hill and liked it better than Lafite (see above) and she was so excited she went to tell Al and had him come over to talk with us. Mark, do you know whether he had Parkinsons or something like that in his later years. My memory of meeting him that evening was his hand shaking.

[Howard_Cooper]

It does seem that Napa is going to get its butt kicked by Bdx if it doesnt stop these massive increases. I know Roy Piper is a great guy and his wine is awesome but he had two 20% increases in like 4-5 years going from $125 to $175, there are dozens more doing the same. It doesnt matter that cost of living goes up in Napa, the market will eventually revolt against regular 20% hikes. Diamond Creek is now more expensive than some really well known Bdx futures like Montrose, LLC etc and more than almost all non first growths except maybe Palmer

That is unfair…Roy pays the market price for fruit and prices his wine accordingly based on COGS. Most Bordelais, for as much as they may have paid for the land, own their property.

While I buy very few Napa Cabs anymore, I would continue to buy Roy’s wine. The price is fair compared to other wines, Roy is a great guy and I would rather support someone I know and like than some of the other options available. I dropped Harlan, Colgin, Araujo, as well as many others. To each his own.

These certainly are much better reasons to buy his wines than is he prices based on COGS.

[Bill_Tex_Landreth]

I have had some stunning wines from Diamond Creek, including a 1978 Volcanic Hill that was better (at least on the night we tasted it) than a 1979 Lafite. But, that wine was made by Al Brounstein, who unfortunately has passed away. I have not had any DC wines of more recent vintages. Who is making the wines now and are they still up to the standards of the wines made by Al Brounstein.

Al Brounstein was a real character, obsessed by three things, his wife,Boots, the different Terroirs of DC, and finally how much people would pay for the Lake.

He showed me an article that put it in the top five.

Years ago, at a MacArthur’s barrel sample tasting of California wines, I mentioned to Boots that I had recently had their 1978 Volcanic Hill and liked it better than Lafite (see above) and she was so excited she went to tell Al and had him come over to talk with us. Mark, do you know whether he had Parkinsons or something like that in his later years. My memory of meeting him that evening was his hand shaking.

Yes, he was well known to have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s

[Hank_Victor]

I have had some stunning wines from Diamond Creek, including a 1978 Volcanic Hill that was better (at least on the night we tasted it) than a 1979 Lafite. But, that wine was made by Al Brounstein, who unfortunately has passed away. I have not had any DC wines of more recent vintages. Who is making the wines now and are they still up to the standards of the wines made by Al Brounstein.

Current winemaker is Phil Steinschreiber, never heard of him - anybody?

He’s been the winemaker for the last 27 years. He has his own wine label called WaterMark which he uses Mt. Veeder Fruit. About $70ish retail I think.

[Mark_Golodetz]

Al Brounstein was a real character, obsessed by three things, his wife,Boots, the different Terroirs of DC, and finally how much people would pay for the Lake.

He showed me an article that put it in the top five.

Years ago, at a MacArthur’s barrel sample tasting of California wines, I mentioned to Boots that I had recently had their 1978 Volcanic Hill and liked it better than Lafite (see above) and she was so excited she went to tell Al and had him come over to talk with us. Mark, do you know whether he had Parkinsons or something like that in his later years. My memory of meeting him that evening was his hand shaking.

Yes, he was well known to have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s

Yup, sadly true

[Levi_Dalton]

Pictures from my recent Diamond Creek Vineyards visit