1999 Dalla Valle, Maya, Napa Valley, Magnum (1.5L)

RP97 "The virtually perfect 1999 Maya is a wine of stupendous unctuosity, richness, fruit, and elegance. It is remarkable that the Cabernet Franc grown in these red volcanic soils can produce wines of such intensity as well as elegance. Notes of cassis, blueberries, blackberries, espresso, smoke, earth, and vanilla are offered in a full-bodied, profoundly concentrated and layered style. For whatever reason, the 1999 Maya revealed more forwardness than the Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee." RP Aug 2002

JD97 "The 1999 Maya includes a big chunk of Cabernet Franc (45%) and is a richer, more layered wine compared to the Estate Cabernet. Beautiful red currants, cassis, dried earth, lead pencil, and an Haut Brion-like graphite and mineral component all flow to a full-bodied red that’s drinking spectacularly well today. As with the Estate Cabernet, I’d drink bottles over the coming decade, but it will evolve longer as well." JD Jan 2019

LP97 "The 1999 Maya is medium brick in color. A tad shy to begin, it opens out to feature notes of redcurrant jelly, raspberry preserves, and forest floor with nuances of Sichuan pepper and wild sage. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled, with bright, impressively youthful red berry layers and firm, grainy tannins, finishing with a savory lift." LPB for TWI Feb 2024