Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines 2022
While the 2018 vintage may have been a tough act to follow, the 2019s stand out as another classic, idyllic Napa Valley vintage to remember. The elements of energy and vibrancy show in the 2019 vintage. A cool winter and mild rainy spring replenished our vines and provided them with the energy to sustain the heat of summer and perfectly ripen in the fall. The 2019 DVO exhibits a crescendo of black and red currents, violet, and cassis. The 15% influence of Cabernet Franc seamlessly ties everything together with baking spices and crushed summer herbs. Velvety and polished tannins give the wine a prolonged and elegant finish.
99pts Jeb Dunnuck
I was blown away by the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon DVO, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc made as a collaboration between the team at Dalla Valle and Ornellaia. Remarkable notes of red and black currants, spring flowers, lead pencil, loamy earth, and classy oak all emerge from this young yet amazingly balanced, seamless Cabernet. Full-bodied on the palate and perfectly balanced, with silky tannins, it will probably be as good as it gets with 7-8 years of bottle age and is a magical Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that will evolve for 30 years or more.
97pts James Suckling
This is the second release of the joint venture wine of Tuscany’s Ornellaia and Napa’s Dalla Valle, and it’s a step up in quality. Beautiful blue fruit with blueberry and boysenberry aromas that go to blackcurrants, together with some graphite. Full-bodied, yet toned with polished tannins. Nutmeg notes come through. The tannins spread across the palate and caress. Lovely texture to the wine. Drinkable already, but better in two or three years.
95pts Wine Spectator
This has a tightly layered core of cassis, mulberry and damson plum, while notes of warm earth and a bright iron spine drive underneath. Features a floral flash in the background, as the fruit and iron notes coalesce seamlessly on the finish. Steady as a rock. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036.
