Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon

Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon is a Cabernet-dominant red blend bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced under the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates umbrella, this label earned a Gold Medal at the 2010 MUNDUS VINI competition for its 2008 vintage, establishing its credentials as a serious over-performer at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Washington State / California, USA  |  Style: Cabernet Sauvignon Blend  |  Producer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Production & Heritage

Red Diamond is produced by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, one of the Pacific Northwest's most prolific wine companies, at its Paterson, Washington facility — the same winery that produces Columbia Crest. The blend is anchored by 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Petite Sirah, 3% Merlot, and 8% other red varieties, creating a layered, multi-dimensional profile that punches above typical value-tier offerings. Winemaker Juan Munoz Oca, who brings an Argentinian winemaking perspective to the project, has helped shape the label's identity as an accessible but characterful red.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pronounced black fruit — blackberry and dark cherry — followed by subtle oak and a faint smoky undercurrent. With a few minutes of air, creamy vanilla notes emerge alongside the fruit.

Taste: The palate enters with ripe blackberry and cherry flavors that carry a gentle sweetness into the mid-palate, where toasted oak and black coffee tones add depth. Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah contribute structure and a slightly inky concentration that keeps the wine from feeling one-dimensional.

Finish: The finish is soft and supple, with lingering notes of creamy cherry and a whisper of tobacco smoke. Medium in length, it trails off cleanly without excessive tannin grip.

How to Drink Red Diamond Cab

This Cabernet blend drinks well at a light cellar temperature — around 60–65°F — and benefits from a brief 15-minute decant to open the aromatics. It does not demand the ceremony of a high-end Napa Cab but rewards a moment of attention.

• Kalimotxo: The wine's soft tannins and ripe fruit make it a natural fit for this simple red wine and cola cocktail, where its cherry and coffee notes shine.
• Red Wine Sangria: The blackberry and dark fruit core holds up well against citrus and brandy, giving sangria a rich backbone without overpowering the mix.
• Mulled Wine: Warming spices complement the existing oak and tobacco nuances, making this an ideal base for a cold-weather mulled preparation.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairing when you want more complexity than a basic table wine
• Introducing a casual wine drinker to Cabernet Sauvignon blends
• Stocking a home bar with a reliable, everyday red
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a backyard barbecue or potluck

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Red Diamond Cab taste like? Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon leads with ripe blackberry and cherry flavors, layered with toasted oak, black coffee, and subtle hints of tobacco and smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins and a creamy, supple finish.

How does Red Diamond Cab compare to Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon? Both wines are produced by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates at the same Paterson, Washington facility, so they share winemaking infrastructure and regional fruit sources. Red Diamond tends to lean into a softer, more immediately approachable style with its multi-variety blend, while Columbia Crest offers a broader range of tier-specific expressions from Grand Estates to Reserve.

Is Red Diamond Cab good for beginners? Yes — its soft tannins, ripe fruit profile, and medium body make it an approachable entry point for drinkers exploring Cabernet Sauvignon without the intensity or tannic structure of more concentrated examples.

Where is Red Diamond Cab made? Red Diamond is produced at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates' facility in Paterson, Washington, the same winery behind Columbia Crest. The wine draws fruit from both Washington State and California vineyards.

What foods pair well with Red Diamond Cab? Grilled beef burgers bring out the wine's smoky oak character. Braised short ribs mirror its soft, rich texture. Aged cheddar complements the coffee and cherry notes. Roasted portobello mushrooms echo its earthy undertones. Dark chocolate desserts play off the Petite Sirah's inky depth.

What sizes does Red Diamond Cab come in? Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Red Diamond Cab worth the price? Red Diamond positions squarely as a value-tier Cabernet blend, and its multi-variety composition — including Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah — delivers more complexity than many wines at a comparable price point. The MUNDUS VINI Gold Medal for its 2008 vintage suggests the label can compete with bottles priced well above it.

Why Red Diamond Cab?

Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon stands apart in the crowded value wine segment because of its genuinely complex blend architecture. Where many budget Cabs rely on a single variety, this wine integrates five distinct grapes — anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon but bolstered by the color and spice of Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah — to create a layered drinking experience. Its Gold Medal at MUNDUS VINI validates that the blending strategy works at competition level. Backed by the resources and winemaking talent of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, it represents one of the more reliably constructed everyday reds coming out of Washington and California.