1996 Dalla Valle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml)

WS94 "Still youthful and potent, this is very rich and concentrated, with layers of currant, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's well-defined. This is still quite tannic, yet it's deftly balanced, finishing with a long, persistent finish. Easily the best of four bottles tasted.--1996 California Cabernet retrospective." JL for WS 1996

Robert Parker BT 96-99Pts writes, "The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a fabulously sweet nose of cassis, smoke, herbs, truffles, and toasty wood, and rich, full-bodied flavors with stunning purity, ripeness, and extract. There is plenty of tannin, but it is beautifully integrated with the wine's body. This extraordinary cuvee, which sees only 30%-40% new oak casks, looks to be the finest Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon to date. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020. As extraordinary as the wines from Dalla Valle have been, I think readers are in for two fabulous wines from the 1996 vintage. While I cannot think of any reason to criticize previous efforts, there is no question that the wines had formidable levels of tannin. Although the 1996s continue to offer plenty of tannin, the wines are sweeter than in the past. Both 1996s are seamless giants that are destined to become legends.
I don't think I need to reinforce the fact that these offerings are extremely difficult to find, but isn't that the way it always is with such extraordinary wines?" Published: Dec 18, 1997