Dalla Valle - Cabernet Sauvignon Maya 2018

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The very deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Maya is shy and restrained to begin. With swirling, it begins to reveal beguiling notes of fragrant earth, lavender, garrigue and Sichuan pepper, giving way to a core of wild blueberries, boysenberries, black raspberries and black currants plus a hint of iron ore. The palate is full-bodied, revealing itself in slow-releasing layers of black and blue fruits with exhilarating earth and mineral sparks, framed by firm, beautifully ripe tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a persistent ferrous note. As cerebral as it is downright hedonic, this Maya is simply jaw-dropping."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A polished, full-bodied red with aromas and flavors of blueberry, black cherry, sandalwood and crushed praline. Superb flavor intensity and a creamy texture, supported by firm, velvety tannins. Lingering vanilla notes. Delicious already, but better from 2022."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This puts it all together, with an initial torrent of cassis, plum and blackberry fruit that is slowly harnessed as it moves through, thanks to guardrails of graphite, cast iron and smoldering tobacco. Seriously long and remarkably refined, despite its obvious muscle, with the iron note reverberating through the fruit at the end. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2040."

WEINWISSER: "Der Maya von Dalla Valle besteht aus 60% Cabernet Sauvignon und 40% Cabernet Franc mit 14,8 Vol.-%. und hat eine superdunkle, viskose Farbe. Im Geruch zeigt er sich noch jugendlich verschlossen, mit etwas fruchtigem Kernaroma, viel Süße, sehr guter Tiefe und feiner Holznote. Dicht und konzentriert, ist der Maya ein enorm fleischiger Napa, der ein wenig an Amarone von Romano Dal Forno erinnert. Denn seine extrem hohe Konzentration und Intensität, druckvoll geschliffene Struktur, sowie Noten von Schokolade und Grillkohle mit hoher Extraktsüße sind verblüffend ähnlich. Körperreich und wuchtig, mit leicht trockenen Gerbstoffen, bleibt er kompakt und fließt nur ganz langsam ab. Ein Wein aus grandiosem Traubenmaterial."

DECANTER: "A wonderfully fragranced and well-structured wine. Perfumed florality comes through from the 40% Cabernet Franc in the blend (with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon) alongside ripe red and black fruits and a kick of liquorice spice. Instantly captivating on the palate with a good balance of opulent fruit, herbal savouriness, refreshing acidity and grippy tannins. An excellent food wine but this a little more time before opening. Drinking Window 2024 - 2037"