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"Coming on the heels of a prolonged multi-year drought, the 2016 growing season was defined by near-ideal conditions. Rain in March & early April allowed the vines to start the spring with ample moisture in the soil, making for healthy canopies & balanced vines. A dry, mild summer, with only one short heat event, helped the fruit ripen with deep color, intense aromatics, & ample natural acidity. Harvesting in September & early October allowed us to produce wines with remarkable depth, energy, & varietal typicity. Some are commenting that the quality of the wines is perhaps on par with the much-heralded 2013 vintage.

The 2016 Collina Dalla Valle is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Cabernet Franc, & 9% Petit Verdot with 24.5% of the fruit coming from Oakville Ranch. This wine is a bold expression of this classic vintage. The first impression is of the wine’s red-black color, impressive density & outright opacity. From the glass it is incredibly effusive, with notes of frankincense, baked blackberries, gunsmoke, & thyme. This complex melange carries through to the palate, as rich black fruit flavors take hold, along with exotic hints of black licorice & sandalwood. The texture is highly polished, but with a tightly knit structure that holds it all together. This combination of aromatic intensity, well-toned muscle, expansive flavor palate, & silky texture, together take the wine to a high level of hedonistic enjoyment.

Collina Dalla Valle is crafted to be enjoyed immediately upon release, but this vintage will most definitely evolve over the years, & age comfortably for several decades to come". - Winery