Dense, ripe, and full-bodied, with deftly balanced, prodigious tannins, this magnificent effort displays a core of cassis, blackberry, graphite and espresso bean complimented by a slight hint of creamy vanilla oak on the prodigious finish. This distinguished young Cabernet Sauvignon delivers an exceedingly satisfying experience tonight but guaranteed to impress for decades to come! For perspective, I recently enjoyed a sample of this Estate Cabernet that had aged perfectly in the winery’s library for exactly two decades. Hence, I can testify that, given proper cellaring, these Dalla Valle wines will thrill for a generation.

Dalla Valle Winery

In 1992, Robert Parker opined about Dalla Valle Cabernet: “This tiny producer has burst on the scene with some extraordinary wines.
This exceptionally strong effort clearly merits buying as futures given the limited production and surprisingly modest prices” in Wine Advocate #81.

For perspective, those “modest” priced bottles originally sold for $40 but now trade at
auction for over $1,000! I recently visited Naoko Dalla Valle at her spectacular property
in the hills of Napa’s legendary Oakville appellation overlooking a cadre of ‘Cult’
Cabernet neighbors including Screaming Eagle, Rudd, etc. Naoko is a charming woman
with a keen sense of the value of personal relationships and terroir in the pursuit of
crafting one of the most celebrated wines in the world.

Naoko and her late husband Gustave Dalla Valle planted their vineyard in the mid1980’s
before any so-called ‘Cult’ Cabernets had launched onto the collector scene. Original
winemaker Heidi Barrett shared duties at Dalla Valle and Screaming Eagle in the early
vintages {not a bad way to spend the day in my opinion!}. Today, the Screaming Eagle
connection remains as current winemaker Andy Erickson (crafted the 100 point 2007
Screaming Eagle) works closely with Naoko and world-famous wine consultant Michel
Rolland. Dalla Valle Cabernets have garnered a whopping twelve 98 – 100 point ratings
from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, placing them among the most highly acclaimed
Cabernets on Earth over the last 2 decades.