(blended with 20% cabernet franc): Red-ruby. Scented nose offers redcurrant, iron and loam. Sweet, fine-grained and energetic, showing lovely juicy definition to its flavors of red berries, spices, licorice and graphite. Superb, varietally precise cabernet with firm tannic spine and excellent persistence. And more accessible today than the Maya.

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Dalla Valle's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with the most exquisite bouquet imaginable. A picture perfect example of the vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon is endowed with expressive, silky fruit and fabulous overall balance. Bright red berries, savory herbs, espresso, cedar, mint and sweet spices all flow through to the finish. I very much like the tension and energy in the glass. Next to the 2010, the 2009 is more floral and red-toned, but those attributes might change as the wine develops in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.

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Fresh, intense and vibrant, rich and chewy, offering a dense core of mineral, currant, blackberry and spice, with touches of road tar and cedar. Tightens on the finish, where the tannins weigh in, yet this is still long and persistent.

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