2018 DVO, Napa Valley, California, USA
Critics reviews
Drink 2025 to 2040
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux (February 2023)
About this WINE
DVO
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% (Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity.
In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and Australia.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
A joint winemaking project between Axel Heinz and Maya Dalle Valle comes with high expectations, and this lives up to promise, with finessed and supremely sleek black liquorice, cocoa bean, Christmas cake spice and concentrated cassis and damson flavours. It has the exuberance and powerful build of the 2018 vintage in Napa, along with a sculpting of fresh herbs, slate and plenty of grip. An impressive first vintage. 75% new oak for ageing, held in bottle for one year before release. The grapes are from sites across Oakville, Mount Veeder and Coombsville.
Drink 2025 to 2040
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux (February 2023)
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee