So much blackberry and lead-pencil shavings. Hints of tar, too. Full-to medium-bodied with extremely well-crafted tannins that run the length of the wine. Hints of oak at the end, but this will come together nicely with bottle age. Slightly chewy now. Some salted caramel. Better after 2026.

Black cherries, dark loam and cassis appear on the nose of Dalla Valle's 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, joined by hints of cedar and vanilla. It's medium to full-bodied, firm, tannic and sturdy but essentially ripe, with a softness to its structure that suggests early accessibility. The long, mocha-tinged finish lingers elegantly, a delicious capstone to a super wine.

Absolutely riveting with immense purity of dark black fruits, sagebrush, sandalwood and purple florals dusted with cinnamon. Full-bodied with concentrated satiny black fruits laced with wild herbs, cedar wood and tobacco. Gorgeously crisp tannins are finely grained, and the finish is long and punctuated by graphite and cassis. One of the most gratifying wines of the vintage from second-generation winemaker Maya Dalla Valle. Her parents, Naoko and Gustav, produced their first vintage of estate Cabernet in 1986. As Maya discovered her passion for the family business, she honed her skills by working at such places as Ornellaia, Bodegas Rolland, Petrus, and Chateau Latour. She was named winemaker of her family estate in 2021.

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a solid step up, boasting a deep purple color as well as a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and nicely integrated background oak. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, it hits the palate with medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's up with the top wines I've tasted in the vintage.

This has showy violet, boysenberry and sweet bay leaf notes that leap to the fore, with good juicy energy tucked inside the core. Offers nice flow on the finish, which picks up a loamy accent while the fruit keeps the upper hand. Drink now through 2035. 1,100 cases made.

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon offers terrific density and power. Bright red-toned fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and rose petal are beautifully delineated. The 2020 is a bit lighter than usual, and the tannins are incisive, but at the same time all the elements are nicely balanced.