Dalla Valle Vineyards : Collina 2018

Characteristics and tasting tips for Collina 2018 from Dalla Valle Vineyards

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance unveils a deep purple hue enhanced by a bright pink rim, attesting to the wine's youth.

Nose

The nose opens with intense aromas of black fruit, notably blackcurrant, blueberry, and black cherry. These fruity notes are accompanied by nuances of cocoa powder, pipe tobacco, and sweet spices evoking star anise, cinnamon, and clove. Upon aeration, the bouquet reveals touches of cedar, vanilla, and flint, as well as tertiary notes of nutmeg, graphite, and freshly turned earth.

Palate

On the palate, the wine seduces with its natural elegance and silky texture. The attack is generous, unveiling an ample mid-palate with flavors of blueberry, black cherry, and dark chocolate. The tannins, fine and present, harmoniously structure the whole without aggression. The finish lingers remarkably with aromas of black tea, vanilla, and persistent minerality, bearing witness to the wine's complexity and depth.

Food and wine pairings

Collina 2018 is the ideal accompaniment to grilled or roasted meats, notably a beef fillet garnished with a mushroom and avocado salsa, or a grilled flank steak with caramelized onions. This wine also harmonizes with aged cheeses such as aged Gouda or Manchego, as well as a selection of charcuterie including prosciutto and pancetta.

Service and cellaring

It is recommended to decant Collina 2018 about one hour before serving and to serve it at a temperature of 16°C. Although this wine is designed to be enjoyed in its youth, it possesses remarkable aging potential and can be enjoyed until around 2035, or even beyond for lovers of evolved wines.

A Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon combining elegance and structure from the Oakville hillsides

The estate

Founded in 1982 by Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle, Dalla Valle Vineyards has established itself as one of the most prestigious estates in Napa Valley. Established on twenty acres of vines planted on the eastern hillsides of Oakville in California, at an altitude of 450 feet. After Gustav's passing in 1995, Naoko continued the work with determination, joined in 2021 by her daughter Maya as winemaker. The estate acquired international renown when its iconic wine Maya obtained the perfect score of 100 points from Robert Parker for the 1992 vintage. Today, under the direction of Naoko and Maya Dalla Valle, assisted by consultant Andy Erickson and oenologist Michel Rolland, the property perpetuates its commitment to the expression of terroir and sustainable viticulture, with organic certification since 2007 and a transition to biodynamics initiated in 2019.

The vineyard

Collina 2018 comes from the youngest plots of the Dalla Valle vineyard, located on the Oakville hillsides in Napa Valley. These vines benefit from a mainly western exposure at an altitude of approximately 400 to 450 feet, enjoying generous sunshine tempered by constant breezes coming from San Pablo Bay. The soils, of a characteristic orange and red color, are composed of iron-rich volcanic rocks with an andesitic basalt base, offering exceptional drainage and creating moderate water stress favorable to grape concentration. The vineyard, divided into eighteen distinct plots, is farmed according to organic and biodynamic agriculture principles, with particular attention paid to soil health and biodiversity. Vineyard management is ensured by Edgar Alfaro, vineyard manager since 2014, who oversees each plot with a precision viticulture approach.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage is considered exceptional in Napa Valley. The growing season began with early fruit demonstrating an intense concentration of flavors, followed by slow and steady development throughout the summer. The grapes ripened gradually, accumulating color and aromatic complexity uniformly, while tannins reached optimal maturity at the end of the season. This measured ripening allowed for wines with rounded contours, accessible in their youth while retaining the massive structure and concentration necessary for prolonged aging.

Winemaking and aging

The Collina 2018 harvest took place between September 28 and October 17, allowing each plot to be harvested at optimal maturity. After plot-by-plot vinification using indigenous yeasts, the wine was aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, 50% of which were new and 50% of one wine or more. This proportion of aging in new wood allows for structure and complexity without masking the expression of the fruit and terroir. The final blend was created after careful tasting of the different lots, in order to obtain the optimal balance between the wine's components.

Grape varietals

Cabernet Sauvignon (67%)
Cabernet Franc (27%)
Petit Verdot (6%)