2018 Dalla Valle Maya

100 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

The very deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Maya is shy and restrained to begin. With swirling, it begins to reveal beguiling notes of fragrant earth, lavender, garrigue and Sichuan pepper, giving way to a core of wild blueberries, boysenberries, black raspberries and black currants plus a hint of iron ore. The palate is full-bodied, revealing itself in slow-releasing layers of black and blue fruits with exhilarating earth and mineral sparks, framed by firm, beautifully ripe tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a persistent ferrous note. As cerebral as it is downright hedonic, this Maya is simply jaw-dropping.

98 POINTS

James Suckling

A polished, full-bodied red with aromas and flavors of blueberry, black cherry, sandalwood and crushed praline. Superb flavor intensity and a creamy texture, supported by firm, velvety tannins. Lingering vanilla notes. Delicious already, but better from 2022.

97 POINTS

Wine Spectator

This puts it all together, with an initial torrent of cassis, plum and blackberry fruit that is slowly harnessed as it moves through, thanks to guardrails of graphite, cast iron and smoldering tobacco. Seriously long and remarkably refined, despite its obvious muscle, with the iron note reverberating through the fruit at the end. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

96 POINTS

Matthew Luczy - Decanter Magazine

Dalla Valle’s legendary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Instantly seductive and supple on the nose, with a chocolatey, plummy richness that elegantly pulls you into the glass. A soft, silky and giving palate slingshots into brighter, more red-fruited notes than the nose would suggest. The finish is classy and refined, striking a midpoint between velvety opulence and rigid structure. A great example of a 'cult' Napa wine that refrains from blowing the doors off.