This is like my Platonic ideal of Napa Cabernet. It's just delicious, with all element in perfect balance. Good fruits, tannins, not too wild in any direction, and what a heavenly finish.
I don't know why Dalla Valle doesn't get more attention than they already do.
Opened an hour before dinner, no special decanting. Deep inky purple color in the glass. Modest nose. On the palate, it's obvious that this wine is special. Blueberry compote, baking spices, a bit of anise, but a LOT of alcohol. A long finish. Clearly, this wine needs more time.
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Deep red with slight haze. Aromatic with oak, cherry and peppercorn. Dry, full bodied, crisp acidity and medium tannins. Flavorful with cherry, apple pie and blackberry. Excellent! Tasted at K Laz in Yountville.
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Opened in the bottle for 4-5 hours. Strutually sound and texturally elegant. Plenty of dark fruit and black tea but also a borderline overpowering clove element. No green or burnt elements. Tannins grip and palate continues to evolve with time giving nice promise for the future. Up with the top 2017’s.
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Nose: A deep dark wet mineral pool of black cassis and currant with undertones of sweet vanilla, cigar box, espresso, and dark damp soil.
Palate: Full body. Striking intensity in the mouth. Lush dark fruit, new fench oak, crushed mineral, with a long, layered finish. Powerful with ripe, intense tannins. The alc is under control (14.2%), love that.
This satisfies all the criteria for GREAT wine: Exceptional beauty, balance, concentration, and complexity. And this wine captures the unique, site-specific specialness of this full west-facing benchland vineyard above Oakville.
Drink: now and over the next 20 years (if stored in a temperature controlled cellar). 94-96.
JGH sommelier CMS-III, SF Bay Area CA
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3/12/2023 - bendb Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is like my Platonic ideal of Napa Cabernet. It's just delicious, with all element in perfect balance. Good fruits, tannins, not too wild in any direction, and what a heavenly finish.
I don't know why Dalla Valle doesn't get more attention than they already do.
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1/29/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 95 Points
Prior note holds true. These are up there with the best of 2017. Even better after an overnight.
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11/16/2021 - Ronreid54 wrote:
WS 92
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11/1/2021 - bendb Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened an hour before dinner, no special decanting. Deep inky purple color in the glass. Modest nose. On the palate, it's obvious that this wine is special. Blueberry compote, baking spices, a bit of anise, but a LOT of alcohol. A long finish. Clearly, this wine needs more time.
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10/8/2021 - ColluraJ Likes this wine: 95 Points
Deep red with slight haze. Aromatic with oak, cherry and peppercorn. Dry, full bodied, crisp acidity and medium tannins. Flavorful with cherry, apple pie and blackberry. Excellent! Tasted at K Laz in Yountville.
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11/6/2020 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 94 Points
Opened in the bottle for 4-5 hours. Strutually sound and texturally elegant. Plenty of dark fruit and black tea but also a borderline overpowering clove element. No green or burnt elements. Tannins grip and palate continues to evolve with time giving nice promise for the future. Up with the top 2017’s.
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10/27/2020 - Jon Harrison Likes this wine: 95 Points
Color: Very dark ruby (impressive).
Nose: A deep dark wet mineral pool of black cassis and currant with undertones of sweet vanilla, cigar box, espresso, and dark damp soil.
Palate: Full body. Striking intensity in the mouth. Lush dark fruit, new fench oak, crushed mineral, with a long, layered finish. Powerful with ripe, intense tannins. The alc is under control (14.2%), love that.
This satisfies all the criteria for GREAT wine: Exceptional beauty, balance, concentration, and complexity. And this wine captures the unique, site-specific specialness of this full west-facing benchland vineyard above Oakville.
Drink: now and over the next 20 years (if stored in a temperature controlled cellar). 94-96.
JGH sommelier CMS-III, SF Bay Area CA
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