Dalla Valle Maya 2012

Description

eRobertParker.com #215 Oct 2014 Robert M. Parker, Jr. RATED 98 Drink: 2014 – 2044 $395-$450 (300) Dalla Valle was the first winery to demonstrate what heights Cabernet Franc could reach in the valley with their Maya proprietary blend, which averages 50-55% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 Maya is a spectacular offering. I recently had the 1991 (made by Tony Soter) and it is still drinking exceptionally well. In fact, it could still be called an adolescent at 23 years of age. The 2012 Maya is already revealing great complexity with notes of forest floor, licorice, truffles, red and blackcurrants and a hint of graphite. The beautiful aromatics are followed by an equally majestic, full-bodied, multidimensional wine of great class and elegance. This sensational effort should drink well for 25-30 years.

This iconic estate whose vineyard is planted high in the red soils of the Oakville Corridor, on the eastern hillsides of the Vaca Mountains, has turned out two magnificent 2012s. A few years ago they went through a quasi-slump (at least for them) when much of the vineyard had to be replanted because of the dreaded phylloxera that was slowly destroying many Napa Valley vineyards. However, that is in the past. The superb 2012 vintage has given proprietress Naoko Dalla Valle a brilliant blueprint to imprint the gorgeous style of these wine. She is backed up admirably by the globe-trotting, world-renowned winemaking guru, Michel Rolland.