2014 Collina Dalla Valle

Naoko Della Valle's 2013s are just as compelling as they have always been. The wines are ample and dramatic, two qualities that encapsulate the personality of this site in eastern Oakville. Fans of the estate can look to the more approachable 2014s for medium-term drinking, as the 2013s are likely to require quite a bit of time to unwind. In 2014, the Maya has much less Cabernet Franc than has historically been the norm, while the Collina is distinctly Cabernet Franc influenced. I also tasted a number of 2015s from separate lots that had not been blended yet. Those barrel samples point to another successful vintage for this reference-point estate. A recent chance encounter with the 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon was a poignant reminder of just how special these wines can be.