1991 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
Good medium red. Plum, prune and mocha on the fully evolved, slightly maderized nose, plus hints of spices and earth. Offers a rather suave, fine-grained texture but the slightly medicinal mocha and plum flavors are past their peak and drying out. A second bottle was similarly in decline. (13.5% alcohol)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon (88% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Merlot) is an opaque, deeply saturated, purple-colored wine with a super sweet, pure nose of black-cherries, cassis, minerals, and vanilla. The wine possesses exceptional richness, full body, ripe tannin, and a blockbuster finish. Approachable now, it promises to evolve for two decades. Dalla Valle has propelled itself into the top echelon of California Cabernet Sauvignon and proprietary red wines. The owners, Gustave and Naoko Dalla Valle, are admirably supported by winemaker Heidi Barrett (the wife of winemaker/proprietor Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena). This team is producing awesomely concentrated wines from their 25-acre hillside vineyard overlooking the Napa Valley floor. There is no secret to their success. The wines are made from fully ripened fruit, and are neither excessively processed nor handled. There are only 2,000 cases of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The microscopic production of Dalla Valle's proprietary red wine, Maya (named after the proprietors' daughter), usually contains between 45-55% Cabernet Franc. I am not overstating the case by saying that the finest Cabernet Franc I have tasted in the New World is from Dalla Valle's vineyard. Tel. (707) 944-2676; Fax (707) 944-8411.
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.