2011 Constant Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(blended with 4% cabernet franc): Saturated ruby. Expressive aromas of cassis, licorice, wild sage and minerals are accented by a violet topnote. Densely packed and suave, with intense dark berry and mineral flavors complemented by an herbal note. The smooth tannins hit the palate late, allowing the wine's finishing flavors of cassis and milk chocolate to build well. A lovely cabernet for the year. Winemaker Paul Hobbs noted that the conversion of sugars to alcohol was generally low in 2011, resulting in finished wines around 14.5%.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Graphite, incense, orange peel, smoke and melted road tar are some of the notes that inform Constant's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. This is another huge, powerful wine endowed with superb purity and depth. Today, the Cabernet Sauvignon is marked by its massive tannin, so readers will need to cellar the 2011 for at least a few years.
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a similar deep ruby/purple color along with smoky charcoal notes intermixed with blueberry and black currant fruit. Medium-bodied and not quite as substantial as the 2010, it is impressive in this challenging, irregular vintage. Consume it over the next 15+ years. This estate, situated high on Diamond Mountain, straddling the Napa and Sonoma county lines, is making a bevy of interesting and potentially long-lived wines. Tel. (707) 942-0707
Good bright medium ruby. Subdued aromas of cassis, licorice, bitter chocolate, mocha and nutty oak. Nicely pure and mineral-driven but a bit less sweet than the 2010 version, with some herbal tones apparent. The tannins coat the front teeth but are essentially fine-grained and gentle.