2011 Dalla Valle Maya

The 2011 is a gorgeous Maya. It is maybe a bit light next to surrounding vintages, but still has plenty of depth and overall intensity. Black cherry, mocha, plum, spice, licorice and scorched earth flesh out nicely. The new oak is maybe a bit pushed for the wine's structure. At the time, Maya was done in mostly new oak, as opposed to about the 75% or so that is more typical today.

One of the wines of this challenging Napa Valley harvest, the 2011 Maya is impressive. Textural beauty is front and center, but it will be at least another few years before the aromas and flavors start to show the full breadth of complexity and nuance that has always been present in barrel. The deep, intense finish is simply dazzling in a magnificent Maya that should drink well for many, many years.

(65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% cabernet franc): Bright ruby-red. Higher-pitched on the nose than the cabernet bottling and tighter today, offering hints of dark berries, violet, minerals and licorice. Then big, rich and mouthfilling, conveying a texture of liquid silk and a powerful impression of the site's red soil. Saline mocha and graphite flavors display terrific definition and underlying spine. Finishes with substantial building, sweet tannins and outstanding length. Zero impression of underripeness here. This classy, highly concentrated wine may yet merit an even higher score. An exciting 2011.