Wine Advisor
Dalla Valle, Maya 2016
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The most reticent of the 2016s, Maya is going to need at least a few years in bottle to be at its best, and even that may not be enough. Today, the bright red fruit and soaring aromatics of the Cabernet Franc are especially evident. I have no doubt the 2016 will be spectacular when it opens up, but that is going to take at least a few years. Sweet red fruit, dried flowers, mint, blood orange and cinnamon build into a crescendo of aromas, flavors, and textures.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Dalla Valle's 2016 Maya, the estate's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend, is endowed with stunning purity and exceptional balance. The purity of the flavors is simply remarkable. A rush of red cherry jam, menthol, pomegranate, mint and espresso builds as the wine opens up in the glass. Blood orange and expressive floral notes appear later, adding brightness as the 2016 reveals the many shades of its beguiling personality. Silky and seamless on the palate, with exceptional balance, the 2016 has so much to offer. The 2016 is one of the most polished and complete young Mayas I can remember tasting. In a word: exceptional.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
A big, vertical wine, the 2016 Maya is incredibly polished for such a young wine. Expressive floral and savory notes give the sumptuous dark fruit considerable freshness. Tannins are evident, but they are also totally woven into the wine's fabric, while underpinnings of salinity give the wine its long shape. Even at this early stage, the 2016 Maya appears to have a very bright future.
About the Producer
Dalla Valle Vineyards is a small, family-run winery established in 1986. The first vintage, Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon, was produced that same year, and in 1988 the famous Dalla Valle Maya was produced. （Dalla Valle Maya.) Naoko, the owner, managed the estate independently after the death of her husband and Michel Rolland, the French winemaker, regularly advises on the winemaking and blending proportions of the estate. The 8.5 hectares of vineyard at Dalla-Valle are made up of red clay, volcanic gravel and clay soils that are well drained, hard and dense, which means that the growers have a lot of work to do during the vine growing period. The vineyard is located on the eastern slopes of Oakville and enjoys the right amount of light, while the cool breeze from San Francisco Bay keeps the vineyard cool. The vineyard is situated 400 feet from the valley floor, where light and temperature can vary considerably. The quality of the soil and the right amount of light and temperature allow for small yields in this vineyard, averaging around 1-1.5 tons per acre. The grapes have a complex flavour profile, with a good concentration of tannins and good colour. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grow well in this vineyard. Dara-Valle produces two types of wine: Dara-Valle Cabernet Sauvignon red and Dara-Valle Maya. Dara-Valle Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Cabernet Franc, then aged in 50%-60% new oak barrels. Annual production is around 2,000 cases. Dara Valle Maya is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Maya vineyard, with fermentation taking place in stainless steel vats and malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, before the wine is aged in 70-80% new French oak barrels. Maya produces around 500 cases a year and sells for a high price, around $300 per bottle.
