In this episode of Got Somme, we journey through the rolling hills of Napa Valley to explore the world of Diamond Creek wines. Your hosts Angus and Carlos uncork the history and flavour profile of aged Cabernet Sauvignon, sip through the 1995 and 1996 vintages, and dissect how Napa’s unique terroir stacks up against global giants like Bordeaux and Margaret River. From wine economics to the Paris Judgment of 1976, this one’s a full-bodied conversation about what makes Napa, and California more broadly, central to wine education and the sommelier world.

Sponsors:

• RIEDEL Veritas Cabernet: https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop/veritas/cabernet-merlot-644900098
• Decanter: https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop/decanter/amadeo-phyllon-decanter-175600P13
• Grays.com Buy the wine, drink the wine where we get ours: https://www.grays.com/search/wine

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🍇 Key Takeaways

• The 1995 Diamond Creek vintages are standout examples of well-aged Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Napa’s American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) offer an incredible diversity of terrain and taste.
• Aged wines can become difficult to distinguish, often looking and tasting remarkably similar.
• Napa's terroir—mountains, valleys, and microclimates—shapes its wine characteristics in distinct ways.
• When compared to regions like Bordeaux and Margaret River, Napa Cabernet reveals unique stylistic differences.
• The Judgment of Paris (1976) proved California wines could rival—and surpass—France.
• High land and production costs drive Napa’s premium wine pricing, creating a gap in mid-range offerings compared to countries like Australia.
• California is pivotal in the global wine education space and sommelier training.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Diamond Creek Wines

03:00 – Exploring Napa Valley’s Wine Regions

05:58 – Tasting the 1995 and 1996 Vintages

08:57 – Comparing Global Cabernet Regions

12:00 – The Economics of Wine Pricing

13:50 – The Importance of California in Wine Education

This podcast proudly presented by Grays.com: https://www.grays.com/search/wine-and-more?tab=items

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