Dalla Valle

Napa Valley

2013 Dalla Valle

APR 17 Ruby. Blackberries, spices, anise, blueberries, some mint, ripe nose, rich and intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich and fruity, dark berries, spices and anise, blueberries and liquorice, detailed and long. 95

2010 Dalla Valle
NOV 13 Deep ruby. Rich, fruity, cassis, floral, layered and nuanced if a bit on the sweet side. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and intense palate, ripe, coffee, structured, long finish. 94

2008 Dalla Valle Maya
NOV 11 Deep ruby, intense nose but less massive than the 96, more layered and complex. Cassis, coffe, some perfume, coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense but fairly elegant finish. 93

2006 Dalla Valle
NOV 09 Dark ruby, fantastic nose of Mediterranean spices and herbs, cassis, sweet morellos, complex, youthful and elegant. Sweetish fruit, ok acidity, ripe tannins, ok finish. Normally a big favorite of mine, but not quite happy with this vintage, or is it only it's stage of development? 88

2002 Dalla Valle

APR 17 Ruby. Dark berries, anise and spices, liquorice, cassis and spices, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries and anise, somewhat leaner for Napa, long. 93

1997 Dalla Valle

APR 17 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, some leather and cigars behind, blackberries and blueberries nose, a few figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, detailed, intense, layered, dark fruity finish, some After Eight going on. Long. 95

1997 Dalla Valle
JUN 10 Deep ruby, chocolate, almost smoky, coffee beans, cigars, deep and dark plums, starting cedar and tobacco and seventies Mercedes leather interior, blueberries and maple syrup. Fantastic complexity, great texture and balance. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, big intensity, still manages to be elegant, white pepper and anise, gorgeous aftertaste and length. Always a favorite. 95

1997 Dalla Valle
NOV 09 Ruby with ruby rim, youthful still, coffee, liquorice, cassis, sweet chocolate. Great fruit intensity and balance, delicious acidity and ripe tannins. Needs another 10 years if you are lucky enough, long elegant finish.94

1996 Dalla Valle Maya
MAY 10 Deep ruby, ruby rim, lots of sediments. Coffee, cassis, touch of blackcurrant leaves, liquorice, scented, vanilla and pepper. Very youthful, great acidity, lots of ripe tannins, complex and big, but only medium body, very long finish. Very intense flavours. 93

1992 Dalla Valle

SEP 12 Deep ruby. Intense cassis nose, plums, some vanilla, spices, leather and figs behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft, fruity, rich, mellow, detailed and long. 94

1992 Dalla Valle
JUL 10 Dark ruby, garnet rim., Some hint of paprika over cassis, coffee, cigars, blackberries, even touch of cedar, very complex and balanced. Good acidity, ripe tannins, maturing beautifully, elegant, seems younger somehow, very long length. 93

1990 Dalla Valle
AUG 12 Ruby red, thin garnet rim. Gorgeous nose of some spicy, almost heavy dark berries and cassis. Complex and layered with a touch of coffee shop and fine leather. Fresh acidity, a bit sweeter than I remember, tannins ripe and elegant and long finish. 93

1990 Dalla Valle
MAY 10 Ruby, tobacco, cigars, blackberries, blackcurrants, touch of coffee. Great acidity, ripe tannins, medium body and good intensity, very youthful actually, keep another ten years. I have had more mature ones. Very long finish. 94

1990 Dalla Valle
DEC 09 Ruby with thin garnet rim, great nose, some spicy notes, cassis, coffee, blackberries, quite intense. Very sweet fruit, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, then a very elegant and truly long finish. 94