The 2019 DVO is only the second vintage of the prestigious collaboration between Napa Valley’s Dalla Valle Vineyardsand Tuscany’s Ornellaia. Cabernet-driven and exceptionally polished, it combines Napa richness with a more restrained, Bordeaux-inspired structure. The commonly reported blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged about 22 months in French oak.
Professional Ratings
| Critic |
Rating |
| Jeb Dunnuck |
⭐ 99 points |
| Decanter |
98 points |
| The Wine Independent |
98 points |
| James Suckling |
97 points |
| Wine Spectator |
95 points |
It was also selected as #100 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2022.
Jeb Dunnuck – 99: Praises its red and black currant, floral, pencil-lead and earthy character, along with full-bodied concentration, silky tannins and exceptional balance. He believes it can evolve for 30 years or more.
Decanter – 98: Finds red berries, lavender, graphite, tobacco and cedar leading to concentrated cassis and black fruit, with herbs, slate, cocoa and black olive. The structured tannins and long finish make it decidedly cellar-worthy.
The Wine Independent – 98: Highlights lilac, rose, black tea, red currant, black raspberry, plum and clove, supported by very fine tannins, freshness and an exceptionally long, layered finish.
James Suckling – 97: Notes blueberry, boysenberry, blackcurrant, graphite and nutmeg, with polished tannins and a caressing texture.
Wine Spectator – 95: Shows cassis, mulberry and plum with warm earth, iron and floral accents, finishing with excellent cohesion and persistence. Recommended through 2036.
Tasting Profile
Nose: Cassis, blackcurrant, blueberry and red currant with violet, lavender, graphite, cedar, tobacco and baking spices.
Palate: Full-bodied and concentrated yet beautifully refined. Dense dark fruit is framed by silky, polished tannins, fresh acidity and savory notes of graphite, herbs, cocoa and mineral.
Finish: Exceptionally long and elegant, with lingering cassis, cedar, graphite and spice.
Sommelier’s Take
DVO 2019 is a collector-level Napa Cabernet with an Italian connection. The Dalla Valle–Ornellaia partnership delivers impressive Napa concentration while maintaining elegance, freshness and finely sculpted tannins. It is entering a compelling drinking window but has decades of potential ahead.
Decanter
