Theorem Vineyards
Voir Dire Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
The truth is… over the years, I've had the occasional fanciful thoughts where I imagined picking up and moving to wine country. Those dreams always seemed so impractical and, of course, it’s never the right time. So, when my favorite winery – Theorem Vineyards – whose wines are made by my favorite winemaker – Thomas Rivers Brown – approached ME about moving to Napa Valley to work for THEM, I fell off my chair. Fortunately, I was more prepared when they asked me to join their team as Vice President of Sales and Marketing; my only condition was a bottle of their 2012 Voir Dire Cabernet Sauvignon – their first born. I will be relocating to Napa Valley at the end of May.
As for that 2012, I believe 60 cases were produced. I previously tasted the 2013 and 2014, so the 2012 was the only released vintage I had not tasted. It’s immediately recognizable as Voir Dire with its ethereally dense and exotically potent perfume. Drenched in wild and savory blackberry, luscious crème de cassis, and the most flawless graphite that will make you understand why diamonds exist. The primary components of its flavor profile are so pure and exalted, and so much so, that I’m reminded how right the decision is. What makes this world class, though, is the mosaic backdrop of secondary flavors that comes across like some sort of haute couture tapestry – polished and refined, yet pure and exotic – a mélange of herbs, black licorice, iron, cedar, truffle, game, and leather. It’s very Thomas Rivers Brown, but the terroir is undeniable.
The truth is… over the years, I've had the occasional fanciful thoughts where I imagined picking up and moving to wine country. Those dreams always seemed so impractical and, of course, it’s never the right time. So, when my favorite winery – Theorem Vineyards – whose wines are made by my favorite winemaker – Thomas Rivers Brown – approached ME about moving to Napa Valley to work for THEM, I fell off my chair. Fortunately, I was more prepared when they asked me to join their team as Vice President of Sales and Marketing; my only condition was a bottle of their 2012 Voir Dire Cabernet Sauvignon – their first born. I will be relocating to Napa Valley at the end of May.
As for that 2012, I believe 60 cases were produced. I previously tasted the 2013 and 2014, so the 2012 was the only released vintage I had not tasted. It’s immediately recognizable as Voir Dire with its ethereally dense and exotically potent perfume. Drenched in wild and savory blackberry, luscious crème de cassis, and the most flawless graphite that will make you understand why diamonds exist. The primary components of its flavor profile are so pure and exalted, and so much so, that I’m reminded how right the decision is. What makes this world class, though, is the mosaic backdrop of secondary flavors that comes across like some sort of haute couture tapestry – polished and refined, yet pure and exotic – a mélange of herbs, black licorice, iron, cedar, truffle, game, and leather. It’s very Thomas Rivers Brown, but the terroir is undeniable.
