Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2004 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

The 2004 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning bottle in the August Installment of Pick My Next Bottle.

Dalla Valle Vineyards was founded in 1986 by Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle, who purchased 21 acres on the east side of Silverado Trail on Oakville Hill. They planted the vineyards to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and had their first crush in 1986. Dalla Valle produces a Cabernet Sauvignon and a very limited amount of a proprietary red named Maya, after the couple’s daughter. Maya usually contains 45-55% Cabernet Franc, and Robert Parker has written that the finest Cabernet Franc in “the New World is from Dalla Valle’s vineyard.” Though Gustav Dalla Valle died in 1995, Naoko has continued to run the winery.

Decanted for about one hour and served with a homemade meatloaf.

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.

My rating: 97 points.

Dalla Valle wines are only available via the mailing list. The current vintage runs $175 and will be released later this Fall.

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