2019 DVO Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

JD99 I was blown away by the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon DVO, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc made as a collaboration between the team at Dalla Valle and Ornellaia. Remarkable notes of red and black currants, spring flowers, lead pencil, loamy earth, and classy oak all emerge from this young yet amazingly balanced, seamless Cabernet. Full-bodied on the palate and perfectly balanced, with silky tannins, it will probably be as good as it gets with 7-8 years of bottle age and is a magical Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that will evolve for 30 years or more.
JS97 This is the second release of the joint venture wine of Tuscany’s Ornellaia and Napa’s Dalla Valle, and it’s a step up in quality. Beautiful blue fruit with blueberry and boysenberry aromas that go to blackcurrants, together with some graphite. Full-bodied, yet toned with polished tannins. Nutmeg notes come through. The tannins spread across the palate and caress. Lovely texture to the wine. Drinkable already, but better in two or three years.
Estate Notes: The 2019 vintage is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc from the Coombsville, Mt Veeder, and Oakville appellations. Maya and Alex collaborate on all winemaking choices for DVO and, in 2019, selected 70% new French oak for the 22-month-long aging. High-toned aromas of black currants and underripe Bing cherries brighten the underlying and mellow notes of florals and dusty gravel. Layered, softened tannins carry through a long finish that coats the palate with delicate flavors of baking cocoa and winter spices.