The name von Strasser implies a certain drama and intensity. It is fitting then that the von Strasser Winery and its estate vineyards are perched amid rock-studded terrain, in the shadow of an ancient volcano. This is Diamond Mountain, a demanding and ideal location for great Cabernet Sauvignon.

We are extremely excited to be offering our 1999 vintage von Strasser Diamond Mountain District wines to you. The 1999 wines  represent an important vintage for us for several reasons.

First of all, this vintage and these wines are of  exceptional quality and may be one of our top vintages of the century. Secondly, the 1999 is the inaugural release of our new tier of wines: the vineyard designated tier. And thirdly, a project that started three years ago finally came to fruition; on May 31, 2001 we were officially granted the status of an  AVA (American Viticultural Area). This release serendipitously coincides with the creation of our new AVA.

During the process of  becoming an AVA, Rudy von Strasser was able to enter into long-term relationships with a few of the vineyard growers. Because of the unique  characteristics of each vineyard, we have produced and bottled the best blocks as "vineyard designated" wines. 
Specific wine listed below.

1999 DMD Cabernet  Sauvignon
WINE DESCRIPTION: The 1999 Diamond Mountain  Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of six distinctive vineyards. This wine is loaded with cassis, berries and violets on the nose, and sweet supple tannins on the  palate. Softer and more elegant in style than the vineyard designated wines, this impressive Cabernet will excite the palate today or age gracefully for 10+  years.

1999 Estate Vineyard Cabernet
WINE DESCRIPTION: Only the darkest most  extracted lots from our estate vineyards are used in making this wine. The color is deep ruby red. Aromas of cassis, dark chocolate and vanilla intertwine with  the flavors of crystallized cherries and vanilla. Dense, with a powerful  underlying structure this wine has chewy complex tannins that go on and on

1999 Reserve
WINE DESCRIPTION: The aromas are cassis, blueberry, licorice, and Cuban tobacco, while the palate is dense, powerful, yet surprisling well balanced and elegant.

1999 Rainin Vineyard Chardonnay
WINE DESCRIPTION: Our chardonnay comes from the Rainin Vineyard located on Diamond Mountain. The Rainin Family is committed to farming their unique clonal-experiment vineyard with a goal of producing low yields and world quality wines, and we welcome this great asset  back into our winery portfolio.