Dalla Valle Vineyards : Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Dalla Valle Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting

Appearance
The appearance reveals a deep garnet-purple shade that immediately reflects the wine's concentration and maturity.

Nose
The nose opens with a captivating bouquet of fresh berries, cassis, and black cherries, interlaced with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and smoky oak. Upon aeration, aromas of violets, fresh blackberries, black cherries, and unsmoked tobacco are revealed, accompanied by subtle forest floor and earthy touches in the background.

Palate
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and remarkably structured, unveiling flavors of ripe blackberries, plum, and cassis. Notes of dried herbs, tilled earth, and smoked meat add considerable complexity and a beautiful expression of the terroir. Nuances of dark chocolate, kirsch, cardamom, cedar wood, and scorched earth enrich the aromatic palette. The firm, grainy tannins provide structure without overpowering, while a harmonious freshness runs through the entire palate. The finish is long and elegant, leaving impressions of black fruits, mineral accents, subtle savory spices, and vanilla delicately interlaced with persistent floral nuances.

Food and wine pairings

This Cabernet Sauvignon pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, notably a ribeye steak, a tomahawk, or other prime cuts. Herb-roasted lamb also makes a remarkable pairing, as do game meats such as venison or wild boar. As for cheeses, favor aged firm cheeses like aged cheddar, aged gouda, or blue cheeses. For lovers of vegetarian cuisine, a creamy porcini mushroom risotto or eggplant parmigiana will create a beautiful harmony. California-style barbecue preparations, such as ribs with smoky sauce or slow-cooked brisket, are also excellent choices.

Service and storage

The Dalla Valle Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is ideally served at a temperature of 16°C. Decanting for approximately one hour before serving is recommended to allow the wine to open up and the tannins to soften. This wine can be appreciated now but will continue to evolve until around 2045.

A Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon combining power and elegance

The estate

Dalla Valle Vineyards was founded in 1982 by Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle in the hills of Oakville, in Napa Valley. The estate spans twenty acres of vines planted on the valley's eastern hillsides, at an altitude between 120 and 150 meters. Since Gustav's passing in 1995, Naoko Dalla Valle has managed the property with a philosophy focused on vineyard work and respect for the terroir. In 2021, her daughter Maya Dalla Valle, trained at Cornell and Bordeaux Sciences Agro, took over as winemaker, thus perpetuating the family legacy. The estate is recognized for producing some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs in California, with a viticultural approach certified organic since 2007 and biodynamic since 2019.

The vineyard

The Dalla Valle Vineyards vineyard from which this wine stems is located on the hillsides of Napa Valley, in the Oakville appellation. The vines are planted on rocky, iron-rich volcanic soils, with a characteristic red color, composed of decomposed andesite and clay loam. This hillside position offers maximum western sun exposure, while constant breezes from San Pablo Bay bring a refreshing maritime influence that moderates temperatures and allows the grapes to retain beautiful natural acidity. Significant diurnal temperature variations between day and night favor slow and balanced grape maturation. The vineyard is organized into eighteen distinct plots, each possessing its own microclimate and specific soil characteristics.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage proved to be exceptional in Napa Valley. The growing season began with the early appearance of the first spring cherries, followed by sustained fruit intensity until the end of summer. All fruits and vegetables demonstrated intense flavors and generous yields, conditions that promised favorable results for the quality of this California wine. The grapes from the Dalla Valle vineyard in Oakville developed beautifully throughout the season, with a slow and steady accumulation of color and aromas, as well as uniform tannin ripening reaching full physiological maturity. This prolonged growing season allowed the grapes to reach full phenolic maturity while retaining their natural acidity.

Winemaking and aging

The Dalla Valle Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested by hand between September 28 and October 17. After meticulous sorting, the grapes were gently crushed then fermented. The wine was then aged for twenty-two months in French oak barrels, two-thirds of which were new. Starting with this 2018 vintage, the estate introduced an innovation by incorporating a portion of the wine aged in amphorae, a deliberate experiment on the influence of alternative vessels on the wine's character and terroir expression. This aging confers a rich and velvety texture to the wine while enhancing its complexity and depth.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (76%), Cabernet Franc (22%), Petit Verdot (2%).