1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. Pale to medium brick in color, it has an evocative nose of fruitcake, Chinese five spice, and iron ore with notes of dried Provence herbs, dusty soil, and black olive tapenade plus a hint of cigar box. The medium-bodied palate delivers chewy tannins and mouth-coating, mature black fruits with hints of coffee and licorice coming through on the finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Healthy dark red, not hugely deep or opaque. Expressive scents of black cherry, black raspberry, coffee, animal fur, licorice and crushed rock; evolved but not old. Densely packed and thick but juicy too, conveying lovely inner-mouth energy to its still-fruity flavors of currant, licorice and stone. The wine's firm tannins and slightly edgy acidity clash a bit on the back end. This wine began with some advanced notes but grew fresher with air; still, its tannins are serious and a bit granular and I'm not sure where it can go. (Incidentally, a second bottle with a bright ruby-red color also showed a hint of maderization on the back, as well as a peppery dry edge to its tannins. My score is for the first sample.)
OK, while this is not close to the level of quality found in the sublime Maya, it’s a lot less money! And as you can see, this is super in its right and it’s in the perfect place, if you like fresh, sweet, juicy, ripe fruits, cedar, earth and a blast of cherries in your concentrated, full bodied, deep wine.
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.