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Tasting notes
Lovely deep plum colour, showcasing the balance of the vintage, this is for me the best of the lineup and really in a sweet spot right now. Vivid and full of energy, with pulses of electricity that make you sit up and take notice. Delivers linearity and focus, with cocoa bean, damson, graphite and layers of freshly cut herbs and creamy autumnal fruit with flavours that cling on. The last vintage in the older winery, and it totally jumps out of the glass. Naoko Dalla Valle and Andy Erikson winemakers, 70% new oak for ageing. Organic and biodynamic farming.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Maya, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It rocks up with ready-to-go notes of blackberry preserves, creme de cassis, and black cherries leading to hints of chocolate mint, iron ore, and lilacs. The full-bodied palate is coated with youthful black fruits and plush tannins, delivering just enough freshness to lift the long, mineral-laced finish.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc . Saturated ruby colour. Pure cassis and a little warmth on the nose together with baked, sweet pastries. The palate follows in the same vein with a rich chalkiness and more warming alcohol. This is a little too much for me, sweet and heady, though I can see why it has admirers. Intense and long on the finish. (TP)
Silky concentrated, liqourice, savoury tannins, slate, softened structure at this point but still powerful. This is excellent. Andy Erikson winemaker at this 8.5ha estate.
About the producer
Dalla Valle Vineyards was founded in 1986 by Naoko and her late husband Gustav Dalla Valle, in Oakville. Initially they had wanted to create a luxury resort, but when they discovered the potential of the site, they changed tack and decided to make wine.