It is safe to say that Dalla Valle Vineyards has always been and remains one of the most influential and revered wines of the Napa Valley. Founded in 1986 by Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle, and now for over 30 years, they have firmly established themselves as one of the greatest cult wines of all time, as well as the site where some of the most celebrated winemakers in the valley including Heidi Barrett, Mia Klein, Philippe Melka, and now Andy Erickson cut their teeth. The vineyards that make up this iconic estate are planted high in the deep, rich, red soils overlooking Oakville, on the eastern hillsides of the Vaca Mountains. Their neighbors include Rudd Estate, Joseph Phelps’s Backus Vineyard, Screaming Eagle, and BOND’s St. Eden Vineyard, and there is no denying that this special corridor of Oakville is destined for creating spectacular wines. The iron-rich soils mentioned above have a distinct shade of red, much like you would see the tennis players compete on at the French Open each year. The convergence of this red clay and gravelly, volcanic soils found throughout the AVA, combined with west-facing, sun exposing vineyards planted on hillsides, and a cooling marine influence make for wines with intensely concentrated aromatics, pronounced minerality, and a lively amount of fresh acidity. With a strong sense of place, we see the lush dark fruit character in these wines, with notes of smoke and gravel, complimenting the violets, herbs and sweet tobacco leaves. What blissful wines these are!
This time every year, we have the sincere pleasure to be able to let you know about Collina ~ the family’s companion brand ~ a harmonious red blend offering a more approachable profile in its youth, for a far less price! Each year, Collina is offered as the family’s introductory wine into their flagship, Dalla Valle, and their trophy wine, Maya, truly two of the most cherished wines ever created!
The Dalla Valle wines from 2017 are a welcome gift from a vintage that reflects the resilience of Napa Valley. The season began with an abundance of winter rain followed by very little rain in the spring, which allowed the vines to set a balanced crop with healthy canopies. Several heat events during the year pushed the vines along, but with the dedication and expertise from the beyond talented Dalla Valle team in the vineyard, they kept the fruit development in check, consistent with all previous years. In the fall when fruit was brought in, it was apparent that the wines had a focus and the balance between acid and tannin was perfect! The team knew this vintage would make wines that would be very appealing to the consumer. Collina, meaning “hill” in Italian, was originally produced from the hillside estate’s young vines, but after decades of production, this wine stands all on its own, and has earned its placement as the lovely companion wine to the more serious Maya. This vintage, they blended 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Petit Verdot. Fresh red raspberry, black cherry, nutmeg, vanilla bean and toasty oak aromas are immediately notable. On the palate, these same descriptors confirm our initial observations, delivered with a precise, finely woven lattice of tannin and natural acidity. There is a wonderful minerality present in the finish where the wine really shines with firm muscle and structure. As it is not filtered or fined, the wine continues to open for hours in the glass and will certainly develop nicely for years in the bottle. Aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. This is a beauty to say the least!
