Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. Stunning nose of blue and black fruits, creme de cassis, Whitman Sampler Box and violets. Full bodied with rich fruits and impeccable balance. Currants, cassis liqueur, tobacco and bittersweet chocolate on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish with prominent fine grained tannins. This Cabernet Sauvignon has aged brilliantly and it would be hard to expect more from Dalla Valle in what was ultimately a challenging vintage. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. Breathtaking nose of creme de cassis, graphite and Whitman Sampler box. Exceedingly rich and impeccably balanced. Concentration and power in spades. Cassis liqueur, blackberry, tobacco and cocoa on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. On one hand it is clear this wine has almost 20 years of bottle age but on the other there is little doubt this will drink well for another 6-8 years. What a stunner.
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Served with 30 day aged ribeye, 2014 Accendo and a Vilmart Grand Cellier at the Frechs. This was opened over 1 hour ahead of time but not decanted. In a perfect place, great nose of black currant, earth and a touch of cedar. Full bodied, with a broad mouthfeel and beautiful, sweet tannins. Layers of black cherry and currant with a long finish. My best bottle so far and 5th of 6. I don't think this wine will ever drink any better so I will drink my last bottle soon. Solid 95 points today.
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This wines was simply spectacular. Soft, silky tannins and a finish that did not quit. Dark fruit still front and center but balanced as well. Drinking great now but showing no signs of fading. I do not think it will improve much going forward but it won’t decline any time soon either.
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Purple in color. 14.8% ABV. Sensational nose of black and blue fruits, cassis liqueur, molten licorice and scorched earth. Immense and concentrated. Great mouthfeel and texture with loads of rich, plush fruit. Blueberries, black cherries, plums and currants on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish with ever so silky tannins. Stunning Dalla Valle that is absolutely impeccable at 15 years of age. Sometimes I wonder if we collectively under estimate how well Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon can cellar? This should cruise to 25 years of age.
Ripe, rich and a bit jammy but it fans out on the finish with a beautiful complexity with notes of eucalyptus, minerals, coal dust and graphite. Paired really well with roast duck. I'd drink this soon before it dries out or the fruit turns too jammy and pruny.
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Good time to drink this as the fabulous fruit of the estate is on display with delicious flavors of dark plums and blackberries along with some tertiary notes of tobacco and leathers. Very full but also finely concentrated with great richness but not overripeness. The eucalyptus note on the complex finish is stunning. One of the few Napa cult wines that doesn't turn into strawberry jam as it ages. 92
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Great right after popping but improved with time in decanted. Super juicy with a perfect amount of extraction. Some tannins and acid but tons of red fruit, vanilla, cassis liqueur, and Asian spice. In a perfect spot.
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Very good. Drank over an hour or so along side a 2012 Chappellet to give this more time. Wish it would have been a magnum to see how it developed over another hour.
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Terroir-istes International - USA - California, Mixed Origins (Rodwell House): Deep aromas with intense black cherry, dust, red earth and blackcurrants. The wine has a great structure with silky tannins. The alcohol is high and a little intrusive, and the fruit veers on raisin and stewed fruits, yet some ripe blackcurrant with some oak spice gives some interest. Full-bodied, the finish is long, the mid-palate sweet and rich, and a smidgeon of acid makes it work pretty well. Didn't quite wow me.
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Mike brought to Barcelona, Fairfield. CT. Delicious upon opening. Lush with sweet tannins, aromatics excellent but muted without air. Comparable to Phelps Insignia, perhaps better.
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Extremely dark color. Fragrant nose of dark rasberries and boysenberries with hints of chocolate. Very big and chocolaty but finishes with strong, tight tannins and vibrant acidity. A very thick and rich texture but the astringency of the tannins is noticeable. If this wines comes together in the next few years it will be awesome but the alcoholic finish gives me some cause for concern. 90?
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5/2/2024 - tomlee wrote: 96 Points
Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. Stunning nose of blue and black fruits, creme de cassis, Whitman Sampler Box and violets. Full bodied with rich fruits and impeccable balance. Currants, cassis liqueur, tobacco and bittersweet chocolate on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish with prominent fine grained tannins. This Cabernet Sauvignon has aged brilliantly and it would be hard to expect more from Dalla Valle in what was ultimately a challenging vintage. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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8/18/2023 - tomlee wrote: 96 Points
Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. Breathtaking nose of creme de cassis, graphite and Whitman Sampler box. Exceedingly rich and impeccably balanced. Concentration and power in spades. Cassis liqueur, blackberry, tobacco and cocoa on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. On one hand it is clear this wine has almost 20 years of bottle age but on the other there is little doubt this will drink well for another 6-8 years. What a stunner.
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3/4/2023 - sastewart wrote: 95 Points
Served with 30 day aged ribeye, 2014 Accendo and a Vilmart Grand Cellier at the Frechs. This was opened over 1 hour ahead of time but not decanted. In a perfect place, great nose of black currant, earth and a touch of cedar. Full bodied, with a broad mouthfeel and beautiful, sweet tannins. Layers of black cherry and currant with a long finish. My best bottle so far and 5th of 6. I don't think this wine will ever drink any better so I will drink my last bottle soon. Solid 95 points today.
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5/26/2021 - corkpopper1 Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wines was simply spectacular. Soft, silky tannins and a finish that did not quit. Dark fruit still front and center but balanced as well. Drinking great now but showing no signs of fading. I do not think it will improve much going forward but it won’t decline any time soon either.
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8/25/2019 - tomlee wrote: 97 Points
Purple in color. 14.8% ABV. Sensational nose of black and blue fruits, cassis liqueur, molten licorice and scorched earth. Immense and concentrated. Great mouthfeel and texture with loads of rich, plush fruit. Blueberries, black cherries, plums and currants on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish with ever so silky tannins. Stunning Dalla Valle that is absolutely impeccable at 15 years of age. Sometimes I wonder if we collectively under estimate how well Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon can cellar? This should cruise to 25 years of age.
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2/13/2017 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasting. Deep color and strong cab nose, good palate feel and with strip steak delicious. Justice would have been to decant doe an hour.
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1/22/2017 - dream Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ripe, rich and a bit jammy but it fans out on the finish with a beautiful complexity with notes of eucalyptus, minerals, coal dust and graphite. Paired really well with roast duck. I'd drink this soon before it dries out or the fruit turns too jammy and pruny.
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12/23/2016 - dream Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good time to drink this as the fabulous fruit of the estate is on display with delicious flavors of dark plums and blackberries along with some tertiary notes of tobacco and leathers. Very full but also finely concentrated with great richness but not overripeness. The eucalyptus note on the complex finish is stunning. One of the few Napa cult wines that doesn't turn into strawberry jam as it ages. 92
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7/10/2016 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 97 Points
Great right after popping but improved with time in decanted. Super juicy with a perfect amount of extraction. Some tannins and acid but tons of red fruit, vanilla, cassis liqueur, and Asian spice. In a perfect spot.
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6/16/2016 - ctjared wrote:
Best one yet by far.
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6/4/2016 - gejohnston Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very good. Drank over an hour or so along side a 2012 Chappellet to give this more time. Wish it would have been a magnum to see how it developed over another hour.
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5/23/2016 - gmat5497 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Powerful. Excellent.
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3/14/2016 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
1 hour decant.
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9/7/2015 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep and rich color, great nose, upfront flavor, very delicious and drinking very well.
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1/31/2015 - gmat5497 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding. Silky smooth yet robust. Well managed.
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1/20/2011 - phantphant wrote: 92 Points
Total smooth yum....with terrific terroir exploding int he midpalate.
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11/3/2008 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 88 Points
Terroir-istes International - USA - California, Mixed Origins (Rodwell House): Deep aromas with intense black cherry, dust, red earth and blackcurrants.
The wine has a great structure with silky tannins. The alcohol is high and a little intrusive, and the fruit veers on raisin and stewed fruits, yet some ripe blackcurrant with some oak spice gives some interest. Full-bodied, the finish is long, the mid-palate sweet and rich, and a smidgeon of acid makes it work pretty well. Didn't quite wow me.
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11/1/2008 - Phin wrote: 95 Points
3 hour decant. Super smooth and very well balanced. Great fruit and chocolate. Youth is perfect now, worry that age would erode fruit.
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8/25/2008 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
Mike brought to Barcelona, Fairfield. CT. Delicious upon opening. Lush with sweet tannins, aromatics excellent but muted without air. Comparable to Phelps Insignia, perhaps better.
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12/1/2007 - dream wrote: 90 Points
Extremely dark color. Fragrant nose of dark rasberries and boysenberries with hints of chocolate. Very big and chocolaty but finishes with strong, tight tannins and vibrant acidity. A very thick and rich texture but the astringency of the tannins is noticeable. If this wines comes together in the next few years it will be awesome but the alcoholic finish gives me some cause for concern. 90?
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10/25/2007 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
WS NYWE Grand Tastings; 10/25/2007-10/26/2007 (Marriott Marquis): Wow, I'm not normally a big fan of Dalla Valle, but I was surprised and blown away by this 04. Big in every way with great fruit and chocolate notes oozing. Delicious. 94-95 pts.
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