Dalla Valle - Cabernet Sauvignon Maya 2018

The 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."

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."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with just under 5% of it aged in amphoras. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs considerable swirling to uncover notes of fresh black and red currants, black raspberries, and kirsch, plus suggestions of cracked black pepper, underbrush and pencil shavings with a waft of rose oil. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with crunchy black berry layers, framed by beautifully ripe tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long with loads of earth and mineral sparks. It needs time!"

Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, which always includes a splash of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is incredible juice and a wine readers should seek out. Showing the quality and style of the vintage beautifully, it offers a captivating bouquet of crème de cassis, unsmoked tobacco, bouquet garni, and violets, with just a touch of foresty, earthy notes in the background. Aged 22 months in barrel (with a small amount in amphora), it’s full-bodied and perfectly balanced, with integrated acidity and a great finish. I love this wine and don't make the mistake of overlooking this while only focusing on the Maya cuvee."

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. Best from 2022 through 2040."

Weinwisser: "Der Maya von Dalla Valle besteht aus 60% Cabernet Sauvignon und 40% Cabernet Franc mit 14,8 Vol.-%. und hat eine superdunkle, viskose Farbe. Im Geruch zeigt er sich noch jugendlich verschlossen, mit etwas fruchtigem Kernaroma, viel Süße, sehr guter Tiefe und feiner Holznote. Dicht und konzentriert, ist der Maya ein enorm fleischiger Napa, der ein wenig an Amarone von Romano Dal Forno erinnert. Denn seine extrem hohe Konzentration und Intensität, druckvoll geschliffene Struktur, sowie Noten von Schokolade und Grillkohle mit hoher Extraktsüße sind verblüffend ähnlich. Körperreich und wuchtig, mit leicht trockenen Gerbstoffen, bleibt er kompakt und fließt nur ganz langsam ab. Ein Wein aus grandiosem Traubenmaterial."

Jane Anson: "Takes hold of you from the first moment, just love the way the Cabernet Franc fragrance fills the palate of the wine. It’s brilliant, full of life, the most delicious balance between fruits, spice, acidity and tannins. A slow steady build through the palate, juicy blueberry and raspberry fruits, well balanced, the sense of vivacity doesn’t let up, and it’s really great stuff. Unfiltered, natural yeast fermentation, organic and biodynamic farming.100% new oak but you really don’t feel it - ditto for the relatively high alcohols, although be aware of them before choosing when to drink. 8.5ha, located in Oakville on the foothills of eastern side."

Decanter: "A wonderfully fragranced and well-structured wine. Perfumed florality comes through from the 40% Cabernet Franc in the blend (with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon) alongside ripe red and black fruits and a kick of liquorice spice. Instantly captivating on the palate with a good balance of opulent fruit, herbal savouriness, refreshing acidity and grippy tannins. An excellent food wine but this a little more time before opening. Drinking Window 2024 - 2037"