Napa Valley | Master Sommeliers Top Wines from California

Napa Valley | Master Sommeliers Top Wines from California

Author: SESSION in PROGRESS June 11, 2025 Duration: 14:55

In this episode of Got Somme, we journey through the rolling hills of Napa Valley to explore the world of Diamond Creek wines. Your hosts Angus and Carlos uncork the history and flavour profile of aged Cabernet Sauvignon, sip through the 1995 and 1996 vintages, and dissect how Napa’s unique terroir stacks up against global giants like Bordeaux and Margaret River. From wine economics to the Paris Judgment of 1976, this one’s a full-bodied conversation about what makes Napa, and California more broadly, central to wine education and the sommelier world.

Sponsors:

Socials:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gotsommepodcast

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme

 🍇 Key Takeaways

  • The 1995 Diamond Creek vintages are standout examples of well-aged Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Napa’s American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) offer an incredible diversity of terrain and taste.
  • Aged wines can become difficult to distinguish, often looking and tasting remarkably similar. 
  • Napa's terroir—mountains, valleys, and microclimates—shapes its wine characteristics in distinct ways.
  • When compared to regions like Bordeaux and Margaret River, Napa Cabernet reveals unique stylistic differences.
  • The Judgment of Paris (1976) proved California wines could rival—and surpass—France.
  • High land and production costs drive Napa’s premium wine pricing, creating a gap in mid-range offerings compared to countries like Australia.
  • California is pivotal in the global wine education space and sommelier training.

 

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Diamond Creek Wines

03:00 – Exploring Napa Valley’s Wine Regions

05:58 – Tasting the 1995 and 1996 Vintages

08:57 – Comparing Global Cabernet Regions

12:00 – The Economics of Wine Pricing

13:50 – The Importance of California in Wine Education

This podcast proudly presented by Grays.com: https://www.grays.com/search/wine-and-more?tab=items

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Ever felt a bit lost staring at a wine list or wondering what you're actually tasting in your glass? Got Somme is here to help, without any of the pretence. This isn't a stuffy lecture; it's a conversation between Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and his mate, radio announcer Angus O'Loughlin, who's keen to learn but starting from scratch. Each episode, Carlos guides Angus-and by extension, all of us-through the fundamentals, breaking down everything from grape varieties and regional styles to understanding why a wine tastes the way it does. The real magic happens when they're joined by some of the world's most respected winemakers, who share the stories and craft behind their bottles. You'll hear Carlos explain how to pick a good wine from a bad one, demystifying terms like tannin and terroir along the way. It's an accessible, often funny journey into wine, perfect for anyone who enjoys a glass but wants to understand the world behind it. Produced by SESSION in PROGRESS, this podcast turns curiosity into genuine knowledge, one bottle at a time.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Peninsulas first $.... wine and we get a FIRST taste! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:15
Owner Lindsay McCall and Head Wine Maker Jamie McCall of Paringa Estate take us on a deep dive into the legacy and craftsmanship behind one of the Mornington Peninsula's premier wineries. With a rich family history, Pari…
The BEST wine in Australia (2025 Halliday Wine of the Year) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:33
Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and Angus O’Loughlin celebrate the 2025 Wine of the Year—a beautifully crafted Chardonnay from Oakridge. Together, they unravel the layers of this award-winning wine, exploring its unique a…
Master Sommeliers TOP 5 Champagnes 🍾🥂 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:41
In this bubbly conversation, Angus O'Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos delve into the world of champagne, discussing the rise of champagne content on social media and reveal Carlos' Top Five favourite champagne…
Vines from 1800s! 🍇 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:21
In this conversation, winemaker Liam McElhinney shares insights into the world of Tasmanian wine, particularly focusing on Lowestoft vineyard. He discusses the history of winemaking in Tasmania, the unique characteristic…
Bordeaux's First Growth Wines | Explained by a Master Sommelier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
You WON'T believe what we paid for this bottle! Master Sommelier Carlos Santos discusses Bordeaux wines, specifically the first five growth wines, while tasting a bottle of 1988 La Mission Haut-Brion and talking about it…
NEVER do this when you order a bottle of wine!  Wine Etiquette 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:19
Mastering Wine Etiquette - Expert Tips with Dr. Clinton Lee We’re joined by wine expert Dr. Clinton Lee to unravel the mysteries of wine etiquette and elevate your dining experience. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a d…
Grenache - The wine that could combat Global Warming 🌡️🌍🍷 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:20
🌍🍷 How Global Warming is Changing the World of Wine 🌡️📉 Welcome to our latest episode of our wine podcast 'Got Somme' where we explore the fascinating and urgent topic of global warming and its impact on the wine industr…
Master Sommelier reviews '100 Point Wine' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:17
Does '100 Points' mean a wine is "Perfect" and if so does that mean we are comparing that bottle against the worlds best? After seeing one of Australia's best wine writers Erin Larkins review of 2022 The Standish 'Lamell…
VALUE in EXPENSIVE wines - In Conversation with Mount Mary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
Mount Mary is listed amongst the elite of Australian wine such as Penfolds 'Grange' and Henschke 'Hill of Grace' so why does it cost $165 and the others start at $900? We asked Chief Winemaker Sam Middleton "I wonder wha…