2001 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon

Moderately saturated dark red. Slightly violety aromas of blueberry, raspberry, menthol, milk chocolate, leather and coffee bean. Juicy, intense and a bit tightly wound, with dark fruit, mineral, violet and licorice flavors framed and extended by sound acidity. Finishes firmly tannic, juicy and long, with repeating floral lift. Clearer and more youthful than a first sample I tried, which was creamy and sweet but a tad rustic and less transparent to its site. This bottle is just now ready to drink. (ST)

Two terrific wines from Dalla Valle, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc) from their hillside vineyards in Oakville, exhibits a dense purple color along with a beautifully sweet perfume of cedarwood, creme de cassis, incense and spice box. Full-bodied and rich with gorgeous purity and texture as well as a multidimensional mouthfeel, it still has some tannins to shed and tastes like it is only 4-5 years old. It has at least two decades of life ahead of it. Tel. (707) 944-2676; Fax (707) 944-8411

Bright, full ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant, minerals and shoe polish. Sweet, juicy and dense, with enticing black fruit flavors and lovely inner-mouth energy. Like the Maya, this really expands to fill the mouth. A large-scaled, sexy wine with lovely clarity and class. The building tannins dust the teeth and tongue.