Dalla Valle Vineyards
Maya
Napa Valley, California, USA
@Tom Garland : Well, hmm. Opened alongside a ‘95 Pichon LaLande and this left us scratching our heads.
Tried a glass at pop…uber locked up. Revisited after an hour in the decanter…improved. After two hours, it finally came alive. Needing some oxygen, this became a beautiful display of potpurri and dark floral notes…so perfumed. It fleshed out to show a sweeter espresso, dark cocoa, and ripe black fruit aromatically. Elegant and refined on the palate, with red and black berry fruit, spice, mineral/graphite and a savory truffle flair. Fine yet undeniable tannin at the finish. Undoubtedly still young, to my surprise. This may need another 5-7yrs to really get going, but I’m honestly not sure. From the few Maya wines I’ve had (including the ‘11 not too long ago), I expected fireworks. Odd.
@Tom Garland : Well, hmm. Opened alongside a ‘95 Pichon LaLande and this left us scratching our heads.
Tried a glass at pop…uber locked up. Revisited after an hour in the decanter…improved. After two hours, it finally came alive. Needing some oxygen, this became a beautiful display of potpurri and dark floral notes…so perfumed. It fleshed out to show a sweeter espresso, dark cocoa, and ripe black fruit aromatically. Elegant and refined on the palate, with red and black berry fruit, spice, mineral/graphite and a savory truffle flair. Fine yet undeniable tannin at the finish. Undoubtedly still young, to my surprise. This may need another 5-7yrs to really get going, but I’m honestly not sure. From the few Maya wines I’ve had (including the ‘11 not too long ago), I expected fireworks. Odd.
1 hour decant(lots of cloudy sediment). A breathtaking dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: got a few whiffs of plum, mint, smoked meat, vanilla oak, floral, herbaceous. Taste: smooth, creamy wine with muted brambly red plum, tobacco, crushed gravel, coffee and a peppery/bitter medium dry finish with just a touch of heat. Disappointed...My high expectations dashed tonight, but I live to post another day. Did I wait too long, still needs time? Seems to have faded or closed down right now.
1 hour decant(lots of cloudy sediment). A breathtaking dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: got a few whiffs of plum, mint, smoked meat, vanilla oak, floral, herbaceous. Taste: smooth, creamy wine with muted brambly red plum, tobacco, crushed gravel, coffee and a peppery/bitter medium dry finish with just a touch of heat. Disappointed...My high expectations dashed tonight, but I live to post another day. Did I wait too long, still needs time? Seems to have faded or closed down right now.
Mar 6th, 2023
Wow, just a completely gorgeous wine. The cab franc soars on the nose. So beautiful.
Wow, just a completely gorgeous wine. The cab franc soars on the nose. So beautiful.
Jun 20th, 2019
Blue and black fruit with smoked meat and some graphite. Decanted for 90 minutes. Really drinking well tonight.
Blue and black fruit with smoked meat and some graphite. Decanted for 90 minutes. Really drinking well tonight.
Nov 27th, 2016
Great nose and so smooth, Maya is hard to beat.
Great nose and so smooth, Maya is hard to beat.
Feb 29th, 2016
Another WOW moment. So much balanced. Great finish with red fruit taste lingering long.
Another WOW moment. So much balanced. Great finish with red fruit taste lingering long.
Feb 28th, 2016