Winemaker Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon presents a deep, inky purple hue, hinting at the richness that awaits. On the nose, a symphony of aromas unfolds, dominated by the lush essence of ripe black cherry and vibrant black currant. Layers of aromatic spices weave seamlessly through the fruit. The wine on the palate is rich and plush, enveloping the mouth in velvety textures that speak to its meticulous crafting. The initial flavors of black cherry and dark currant are beautifully complemented by a subtle undertone notes of bitter chocolate emerge, adding a decadent depth that harmonizes effortlessly with the fruit. The graphite character, provides a mineral backbone that enhances the wine's complexity, elevating it beyond mere fruitiness into an intricate tapestry of flavors.
Despite the warmth of the vintage, the 2022 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon maintains an elegant balance, showcasing a refined structure and finesse. Its layered profile invites contemplation, revealing new nuances with each sip. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving traces of dark fruit and a whisper of spices that linger delightfully on the palate. This wine is a testament to the artistry of our terroir, a captivating blend of richness and refinement that will surely evolve beautifully with age, yet is undeniably enchanting in its youth.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
This Oakville Dalla Valle Cabernet is effortlessly approachable, with expressive black and blue-toned fruit layered with elegant sagebrush spice. Medium-bodied yet rich, it showcases super-suave tannins that are gentle on the palate, offering less tannic grip than in more structured vintages. A true gift for longtime collectors, this is a wine you’ll want to enjoy from the moment it arrives at your door. The fruit is bright and energetic, with pure blackberry and juicy blue fruit, accented by perfumed violet notes. Everything feels remarkably harmonious and in excellent condition—a wine of both pleasure and complexity, standing out as one of the most compelling expressions from this challenging vintage. This is a bottle to be proud to pour, one that shines both now and over long, lingering meals. The core Cabernet blocks come from those in front of the house (House Block), as well as a west-facing hillside block and a later-ripening parcel on the right-hand side of the driveway through the gate, which imparts natural acidity, focus, and length. These components are later blended with a barrel selection of Cabernet Franc from the property, which makes up roughly 30% of the vineyard.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I appear to have underestimated Dalla Valle's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate prior to bottling, as this blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot is now showing more harmony and length. On the nose, intense black cherries join dark, loamy earth scents, while the medium to full-bodied palate is rich and velvety, showing admirable concentration, texture and terrific persistence on the finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a more restrained, elegant wine in the vintage, yet it still has the supple, approachable style of the vintage as well. Darker currants, cedar pencils, smoked tobacco, and hints of chocolate all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, ripe yet building tannins, and a gorgeous finish.
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James Suckling
Deep, concentrated and profound, so layered and complex. Blueberries, blackcurrants, spearmint and hints of iron, anise and aromatic red fruit on the nose. The powerful tannins are powdery and fine, giving a subtle grip to the texture as well as promising a long life in the bottle. Contains 80% cabernet sauvignon, 18% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2035.
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Vinous
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the wines of this very challenging vintage. Pliant and expressive, this mid-weight Cabernet Sauvignon is all class. The softer style of the year is evident, but there are no hard edges, no awkward contours. Floral and spice notes play off a core of dark-toned Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. The 2202 is simply impeccably done in every aspect.
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Wine Spectator
Shows polish and depth, though most of its core of blackberry and black currant preserves is front-loaded, while cocoa, loam and singed alder hang on the solid finish. Drink now through 2031.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.