Dalla Valle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2020

Dalla Valle Vineyards sits among the most revered, influential, and coveted wine names in the world. Founded by Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle, and for over 30 years now, they have firmly established themselves as one of the greatest cult wines, and one of the first in Napa Valley. Their daughter, Maya, is at the helm now after being a student learning from some of the great winemakers of the world, either on her family’s property or at such global iconic sites as Ornellaia, Petrus and Chateau Latour.  Prior to her joining the team, some of the most celebrated winemakers in the valley including Heidi Barrett, Mia Klein, Philippe Melka, and Andy Erickson cut their teeth at this world-class property.  This iconic estate’s vineyards are planted high in the iron-rich, volcanic soils of Oakville, on the eastern hillsides of the Vaca Mountains. The convergence of these soils with west-facing, sun-exposed vineyards planted on hillsides with a cooling marine influence, makes for a wine with intensely concentrated aromatics and phenolics, pronounced minerality, lifting acidity, and boundless intensity. With Rudd Estate, Screaming Eagle, Joseph Phelps’s Backus Vineyard, and Peter Michael’s Au Paradis Vineyard, there is no denying that this special corridor of Oakville is destined for creating nothing but exceptional wines. 

A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the initial impression of the wine is vibrant and seamless from start to finish. This vintage is incredibly flavorful, with appealing notes of black cherry, cedar, vanilla bean, cardamom, and clove, adding a richness upon the first sip. The winemaking team introduced two amphora-aged wines into the barrel regimen which added minerality and complexity "bringing together undertones of black currant, forest floor, and bitter chocolate.  This is a wine that is generous and expressive right now, but, given the strength of its fine-grained tannic backbone, will continue to develop and age for many years to come. If you choose to drink now, allow time for a hearty decant. Dalla Valle Vineyards has a wait list for their wines a mile long so we at ACME are incredibly excited and honored to be able to share this truly classic wine with you every year!