Paul and I enjoyed a bottle of the 2003 Laird Family Cabernet from Diamond Mountain Ranch last night as we talked about business and the historical day, yesterday in America. This was the last release from Laird of this wine as the contract for the grapes ran out. I am finding along with Paul, that the 2003 cabernet’s from California are drinking very nice right now.
Vintage: 2003
Winery: Laird Family
Appellation: Diamond Mountain District, CA – west of Calistoga
Wine Maker: Paul Hobbs
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Notes: 586 Cases were produced. Aged 18 months in mostly new French oak. This was the last vintage of this wine. The grapes were sourced from the Schramsberg property.
Dark garnet/ruby color in the stem. Black cherry, dark baked plum, tea bag, eucalyptus, bell pepper tobacco leaf, mushroom, black pepper, toasty oak, and Spanish cedar, with a hint of vanilla. Pencil lead, roasted meat and a nice earthiness finish off the nose. The wine is showing great balance with a nice full and round mouth-feel. The tannins are fine grained and sweet and the finish is long. Very nice wine!
Rating: 91+ JH