Robert Craig’s wines are known for pure site expression. Most Cabernet bottlings are appellation-specific: Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain.

With just 13 acres planted on the 60-acre site, the Andrew Geoffrey Vineyard’s unique combination of soils (volcanic ash and loam) and varying exposures (Northeast, North and Northwest) required custom rootstock and clonal selection to optimize use of the land and micro-climates within the site.

2019 in Napa Valley is an exceptional vintage for the mountain AVA’s with ideal growing conditions, moderate yields and superb intensity, whereas valley floor vineyards struggled with excessive ripeness and drying tannins. The early, moderate weather and lack of significant heat events made for one of the best quality vintages of recent memory. Compared to the previous four vintages, 2019 saw wetter spring soil conditions, requiring careful canopy maintenance. Yields were moderate to below average going into harvest.

Tannin quantity was high but the tannins are supple and round. In the Diamond Mountain Cabernet, the vineyard’s white, volcanic soils delivered a wine of breathtaking intensity and longevity. Even with the enormity of the structure and fruit, there is grace and nuance in the finished wine.

The finished wine is black coloured, deep and perfumed with loads of dark, floral tones, mineral, spice-box and graphite pouring out of the glass. On the palate, the profound structure is matched with layer after layer of luscious fruit and round, ripe tannins.