Wine Advisor
Dalla Valle, Maya 2019
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
As fans know, Maya comes from a very special section of the estate vineyard, situated in the valley's eastern foothills, below Pritchard Hill and in the above the Oakville floor, overlooking Screaming Eagle. The blend is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Maya slowly unfurls to reveal a firework display of redcurrant preserves, kirsch, boysenberries and wild blueberries, followed by iron ore, red roses, cardamom, fallen leaves and crushed rocks, with a waft of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is stunningly graceful and refined, featuring exhilarating mineral sparks among the red and black fruits, finishing with so much brightness and energy. Breathtaking!
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2019 Maya is fabulous. I can't remember a young Maya with this much sheer immediacy and allure at this stage. The purity of the flavors is just remarkable. Bright red/purplish fruit, spice, blood orange, mocha and mint are some of notes that open over time. There is plenty of tannin, but it is nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit. I would not be in any rush to open a bottle soon. In 2019, Maya is more finesse than power.
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.
