1985 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain (5/7/2006)
Not without interest, but not terribly interesting either. I am at a loss to explain why the 1985 Diamond Creeks are so much worse than the 1984's (or even the 1986's for that matter). Sour note on the nose that blew away in time to reveal a nice mature, leathery cab nose. On the palate, substantial tannins dominate and will always overshadow the fruit. Sharp astringent finish. I liked this better than the 1985 Gravelly Meadow, but a decided disappointment overall. (85 pts.)

That is a shame. I wonder how this bottle might compare with one from any of their other vineyards.

IMO these wines at 20+ years old are just starting to drink real well. One of my top wines of last year were two 1983 DCs.

From what I can tell the 1984 Diamond Creeks are great. I have 2 cases and don't regret owning a single bottle. I don't see any hurry to drink them. The 78-80 Diamond Creeks are sublime. I have 10 bottles and wish that I had more. The 1985 Diamond Creeks are a different story. I can't really sell them knowing what I know, but I may donate a case to charity. I have 19 bottles and don't mind drinking them, but they are just a major disappointment. The 1986's are a minor disappointment. I have 10 bottles and am sure that I'll find a use for them. Fortunately for me, I quit buying after 1986.

You have the Lake's, which are a different story. They may be better to collect than to drink since so few were made, but if you ever break down they might be fun to try.

Funny, a bottle of this was recently on Wine Commune, and I was tempted until I read Parker's review:

1985 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill
Diamond Creek
Napa, North Coast, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon (a dry red table wine)



Review by Robert Parker
Wine Advocate #98 (Apr 1995)
Rating: 58 points
Estimated Cost: Unknown


I have said before that 1984 was the last impressive vintage for Diamond Creek's Cabernet Sauvignons, but never would I have believed that the 1985 Volcanic Hill, Red Rock Terrace and Gravelly Meadow would show so miserably. Perfectly stored, with excellent fills and no signs of heat abuse, the 1985 Volcanic Hill was the worst wine of the entire tasting. It exhibited a medium purple color, a sour, oaky aroma with a noticeable vegetal character, painfully tannic, harsh flavors, and a hollow, fruitless personality. I remember stating that the barrel sample had "a hole in the middle, and may be in an awkward stage," but this is a disappointing, thin, harsh Cabernet Sauvignon with no future. For me, Diamond Creek's 1974s, 1976s, and 1978s remain among the most extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever drunk, making these performances shocking.

Don't remind me about the Parker reviews! I bought the 1985's based in part on his reviews (Connoisseur's Guide and California Grapevine also had favorable reviews). I've read his 1995 review. He overrated it in 1987 and underrated it in '95 in my opinion. Just one of many mid-80's reviews where he has egg on his face.

The 1979s are still outstanding. I agree on the excellence of the 1984s. I have one 1984 Lake Vineyard left. It's one of the best 2 or 3 American wines I've ever had.

58 points

That hasn't been my experience (and it was about five years ago). Bad bottle? Did he try a second bottle?