{"title":"Von Strasser","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"von-strasser-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon-1996","title":"Von Strasser Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1996","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVon Strasser Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1996\u003c\/strong\u003e is a library-aged Bordeaux-style red blend from Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley, in a standard 750ml bottle. As only the second Reserve vintage ever produced by the estate — the Reserve program debuted in 1995 — this 1996 bottling holds particular significance in the winery's history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: Not confirmed on public record  |  Origin: Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 1996  |  Winery: Von Strasser\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVon Strasser Winery was founded in 1990 by Rudy and Rita von Strasser on the steep volcanic slopes of Diamond Mountain. Rudy von Strasser played a central role in establishing the Diamond Mountain District as its own AVA and brought a distinctly Bordelais perspective to Napa winemaking — he was the first American intern at Château Lafite Rothschild, working the 1985 harvest. The Reserve bottling is a Bordeaux-style blend rather than a pure varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, selected from the estate's strongest vineyard blocks and given extended barrel aging. The winery operated through 2016, making these older vintages increasingly scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e At nearly three decades of age, expect the primary fruit to have evolved into dried and tertiary aromatics — think dried fig, tobacco leaf, cedar, and earth. Subtle iron-mineral notes reflective of Diamond Mountain's volcanic soils may emerge with time in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The palate on a properly cellared bottle should show resolved tannins and a savory, leather-and-dark-fruit profile. Mid-palate weight likely leans toward dried black cherry and plum compote layered with graphite and subtle herbal complexity typical of mountain-grown Bordeaux blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mature mountain Cabernet from this era tends toward a long, drying finish with lingering minerality. Earthy and slightly smoky notes may persist well after each sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Von Strasser Reserve 1996\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA wine of this age and provenance deserves to be served neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at around 62–65°F. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes is advisable to allow compressed aromas to open, but monitor the wine closely — older vintages can fade quickly once exposed to air. This is not a cocktail wine; it belongs on the dinner table.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCelebrating a milestone anniversary tied to 1996 — a birth year, wedding year, or retirement vintage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting to a serious Napa Valley wine collector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a rare Diamond Mountain library wine to a cellar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a special-occasion multi-course dinner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Von Strasser Reserve 1996 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e After nearly three decades of bottle age, this Bordeaux-style blend from Diamond Mountain is expected to show evolved flavors of dried dark fruit, leather, cedar, and earthy mineral character, with resolved tannins and a long savory finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Von Strasser Reserve compare to Diamond Creek Cabernet?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are iconic Diamond Mountain producers focused on mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from volcanic soils, but Von Strasser's Reserve is a Bordeaux-style blend rather than a single-vineyard varietal bottling, giving it a different structural profile and blending complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Von Strasser Reserve 1996 good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — this is a contemplative wine best appreciated on its own or alongside food, served slightly below room temperature with a measured decant to coax out its aged complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Von Strasser Reserve made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Von Strasser Reserve was produced at the Von Strasser estate winery in the Diamond Mountain District AVA, a sub-appellation on the western edge of Napa Valley known for its steep terrain and volcanic red soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Von Strasser Reserve 1996?\u003c\/strong\u003e Braised short ribs complement the wine's savory depth; roasted lamb with rosemary echoes its herbal notes; aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego match its tertiary complexity; wild mushroom risotto mirrors its earthy minerality; and grilled quail with a balsamic reduction bridges fruit and acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Von Strasser Reserve 1996 come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e This vintage was released in the standard 750ml bottle format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Von Strasser Reserve 1996 worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Von Strasser Reserve positions as a premium, limited-production library wine from a historically significant Napa estate; its value lies in its rarity as one of only a handful of Reserve vintages and its connection to the founding era of the Diamond Mountain District AVA.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Von Strasser Reserve 1996?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine represents only the second vintage of Von Strasser's Reserve program, produced during a formative period for both the estate and the Diamond Mountain District appellation that Rudy von Strasser helped create. His training at Château Lafite Rothschild directly influenced the Bordeaux-blend philosophy behind this cuvée. With the winery having ceased production in 2016, remaining bottles are finite and irreplaceable. For collectors of Napa Valley history and Diamond Mountain terroir, the 1996 Reserve is a genuine artifact of the region's rise.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Von Strasser","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837625954473,"sku":"1272","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Von_Strasser_Reserve_Cabernet_Sauvignon___95835.jpg?v=1730488668"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/von-strasser.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}