Region: Rutherford

Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

The game changer Cabernet to change all the games. The ultimate example from Ashes and Diamonds with their quest to honour the golden era and the great wines produced, farming in a traditional way, picking at lower brix and gentler extraction - just 12.6% alcohol!

Produced by Steve Matthiasson from the much acclaimed George III vineyard in Rutherford. A portion of it was planted in 1896 by Mrs Thomas Rutherford herself, and later used by André Tchelistcheff to make wine for Beaulieu Vineyards, including the ’68 vintage that so propelled Kashy in to the world of wine. To reaffirm Tschelitstcheff’s quote “it takes Rutheford dust to grow great Cabernet.”

A simply beautiful, elegant and classic expression, beginning with pretty aromas of red currants and red berries woven together with tobacco, herbs, spices, dried roses, black tea and hints of dusty minerals. On the palate this is beautifully structured around a medium body with fine tannins and lovely acidity at its core.

“With lower extraction and less alcohol, this offers a delightful perfumed red fruit charm, vibrant acidity and a real sense of dialled back elegance. Less is definitely more, when it’s done well.” The Buyer, September 2019

Kashy Khaledi started Ashes and Diamonds with a singular view - to emulate the great wines made during Napa’s heyday in the 60’s and 70’s. Gathering some of the most interesting winemakers in the world today (Steve Matthiasson, Dan Petroski and Diana Snowden Seysses) and using the technologies available to those iconic wines, Kashy’s ode to the 60’s is an acclaimed success. These wines are stunning, complex and subtle – there is frankly nothing else in the world like the Ashes and Diamonds project.

“So often are you as a blazing torch with flames
of burning rags falling about you flaming,
you know not if flames bring freedom or death.

Consuming all that you must cherish
if ashes only will be left, and want Chaos and tempest.”

“Or will the ashes hold the glory of a star-like diamond, the
morning star of everlasting triumph.”