Ashes & Diamonds Saffron Vineyard 2023 (750ml) *
Product price
$136.99
Description
Mountain-grown Cabernet from Napa's Mount Veeder tends to carry a firmer, more structured frame than valley-floor fruit, and this bottling from Ashes & Diamonds leans into that character. The 2023 draws mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon (76 percent) rounded out with Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Franc, aged fifteen months in French oak, just under half of it new. Medium to full in body, it's a wine built on the tension between ripe fruit and the elevation's natural grip.
Expect red currant and cassis up front, with blueberry and plum filling in behind, and a savory thread of sage, bay leaf, and mountain scrub that gives it a sense of place. Graphite and crushed stone lend a mineral edge, while lightly toasted cedar rounds the aromatics. The palate is concentrated and textural without tipping into heaviness, its tannins firmly drawn but ripe enough to support the juicy core. Freshness runs the length of the long, silky finish. Enjoyable now, with the structure to reward some patience.
Product Details
| Category | Wine |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Subregion | Mount Veeder |
| Producer | Ashes & Diamonds Winery |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 750 ML |
| Subtype | Still |
Expert Reviews
The No. 6 from Saffron Vineyard on Mt. Veeder is a bright, red-currant-driven wine complemented by lightly toasted cedarwood aromatics. Medium-bodied, with ripe tannins supporting juicy fruit layered with wonderfully fragrant mild Indian spices. (Decanter, March 2026)
Another great-value Cabernet from Ashes & Diamonds, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Saffron Vineyard No. 6 features hints of crushed stone, lovely cassis, blueberry, sage and bay leaf notes that nicely express its origins in the Mount Veeder AVA. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, aged 15 months in 48% new French oak (the balance used), it's medium- to full-bodied, expansive in the mouth without being overly rich or weighty, concentrated, but not overdone in any way, finishing long and silky. (Wine Advocate, October 2025)
Aromas of mountain scrub, raspberries, plums, black currants, graphite, crushed rocks and earth. The palate is full-bodied with a compact, textural mouthfeel, firmly framed tannins and plenty of depth. Freshness and structure carry through the long finish. Drink or hold. (James Suckling, July 2026)