دياموند كريك كابيرنيت فولكانيك هيل 2011 (ماغ)، نابا

I was surprised how approachable this 2011 is already, with the 100% new French oak adding a nice layer of vanilla without overpowering the dark fruit. A great value for a Napa magnum that can easily be enjoyed now or cellared further.

Opened this for a milestone birthday and the 22 months in new French oak gave it a beautifully integrated, creamy texture. It’s still youthful with plenty of tannic structure, so I’ll be curious to see how it evolves over another five years.

The blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with the Malbec and Merlot gives this wine a really nice complexity. I opened a bottle with dinner and the dark fruit flavors lingered perfectly—definitely worth the cellar space.