2022 Dalla Valle Maya
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Tasting notes
This vintage sees the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc to date, and it comes across in the rose petal and violet aromatics, without sacrificing sleek and rich spiced plum and fruit cake notes, with an architecture that stretches out through the palate. The tannin management is extraordinarily impressive, this is a concentrated wine that feels graceful and moreish. Bottled July 2024, 75% new oak for ageing, Maya Dalla Valle's second year as official head winemaker, working with her mother Naoko and Andy Erikson. One point upscore from my last tasting. Organic and biodynamic farming.
Critic scores
Jim Gordon, jamessuckling.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
55% Cabernet Franc, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvest 9 September. Aged for 22 months in French oak, 75% new. Bottled 23 July 2024. Very deep crimson. Thick and hedonistic. Very Napa! Very well done even if very slightly old school. Hot mug of cocoa on the end rather than the fragrance of Cabernet Franc. (JR)
Moving to the 2022 Maya, it's the first year since 1989 that has this cuvée includes more Cabernet Franc than Cabernet Sauvignon. (It's 54% Cabernet Franc and 46% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in 75% new barrels.) A fabulous nose of darker currants, leafy herbs, violets, camphor, new leather, and flower notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a layered, polished mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a brilliant finish.
The 2022 Maya is composed of 54% Cabernet Franc and 46% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the first time since 1989 that more Cabernet Franc than Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a fair bit of shaking to wake up notes of fresh boysenberries, wild blueberries, and red currants, giving way to an undercurrent of pencil shavings, garrigue, licorice, red roses, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is very tightly wound with many layers of bright black, blue, and red berry flavors intertwined with minerally nuances and supported with a rock sold structure of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. The Cabernet Franc really shines through here and it is so, so good!
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.