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
Socials:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gotsommepodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme
🍇 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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.