The flagship wine, the 2002 David, is a 400-case blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 19% Cabernet Franc. The wine has tremendous density and a gorgeously perfumed nose of cedar, spice box, black cherries, and cassis. Opaquely colored, deeply flavored, and rich, with chocolatey ,currant flavors, a savory texture, and a persistent palate, it will drink well for 7-8 years.
As I indicated last year, the caves of Del Dotto have become the most visited tourist attraction in Napa Valley, with David del Dotto laughing all the way to the bank, I suppose, by offering not only fascinating cellar tours but personalized bottlings of several of his wines. To reiterate, visitors are permitted to taste from as many as 45 different types of barrels (both American and French oak), and choose the barrel from which they want their wine bottled. It is immediately bottled and personalized for the purchaser. Cynics may call this gimmicky, but it is a brilliant marketing idea and obviously very profitable. The following wines are those made for the commercial mainstream as opposed to specific lots bottled for journalists or anyone else.
Tel. (707) 963-2134; Fax (707) 963-3531