Featured Producer
& Wine (s) on Rick's WineSite Journal |
Producer:
DEL DOTTO Vineyards
Appellation:
Rutherford, Napa Valley
Featured Wine (s):
Caves Blend, Connoisseur Series, 'David' Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc,
Giovani's Tuscan Reserve,
Merlot, Sangiovese,
Website:
http://www.deldottovineyards.com
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DEL DOTTO's were featured winemakers at our
Napa Wine Experience 99
Barrels and Beef Extravaganza 2002
Napa Wine Experience
2003.
See Del Dotto Family Vineyards Label Library |
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Journal entries: Date, Wine,
Rating, Price, Comments |
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September
3, 2010 -
Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan
Reserve 1997 - RM 89 - Medium
body - slight earthiness starting to show age but a couple
years life left - slightly tart black cherry fruit, spice,
moderate silky tannins on a pleasant finish. Consistent with
earlier tasting notes. Tasted w/ L and Sean at Angelis.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=35492 |
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July 1, 2010
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Del Dotto Rutherford Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon 1995
- Starting to show a
hint of age but lots of life left in this fifteen year old -
spicy toasty oak predominates the taste accented by spicy
black cherry, berry, plum and hint of vanilla , with smooth
polished well-integrated tannins on a long complex finish.
Cabernet
Sauvignon 90% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc 5% Barrel Aged for 27
Months 100% New French & American Oak
http://cellartracker.com/w?890767 Del Dotto were
featured producers of our
Napa Wine Experience 1998, 1999, and 2003 - Tasted at
at our favorite Italian Bistro
Angeli's Restaurant
w/ Alec serving. |
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January 30, 2010
- Gala dinner and tasting featured Del Dotto Connoisseur
Series Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 - Vintage wine
aged in various oak barrels provides unique comparative
tasting experience. Oak selections include Troncas French
Oak, Allier French Oak, Marsannay French Oak, Colbert French
Oak, Minnesota American Oak, and standard traditional Napa
cab. Yes indeed, the oaks are distinguishably different from
the more forward and full American, Marsannay to
more refined
and polished and Troncas to a more delicate and slightly
sweeter French Allier and Colbert. Great accompaniment to
beef tenderloin dinner. Flourless chocolate cake accented by
Dow's Vintage Port 1997. French Creme Brulee highlighted by
Kracher Nouvelle Vague #5 Zweigelt TBA 1996 and Kracher
Traminer #8 TBA 1998. Medley of artisanal cheeses and butter
seared sea scallops in sherry tomoato and spinach sauce were
accented by comparison flight of Chardonnays - Joseph Phelps
Ovation Los Carneros 2004 and Ramey Hudson vineyard Carneros
2005, and Bernkasteler Doctor Mosel Ruer Sauer Kabinett
Riesling 1999. Participants and cellar selection besides
hosts L and me were Dr Dan and Linda, Bill & Beth C, and
Lyle and Terry F. |
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November 27, 2009
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Del Dotto Cabernet Franc Napa Valley 1997
- RM 92 - Floral and spice aromatics, full bodied, full
silky texture, forward black berry and currant fruits
accented by spice, leather and hint of cedar on a long
smooth tannin finish.
Del Dotto Napa Valley Sangiovese Marsannay
2000 -
RM 88 Black cherry,
black berry, herbs, black olive and hint of leather and
spice on the moderate tannin finish. Unique one of a kind
special Marsannay French oak barrel aged selection, usually
reserved for
Del Dotto's famous Connoisseurs Series
Cabernet. Del Dotto was a
featured producer in our Napa Wine Experiences.
Tasted w/ L, Ryan & Michelle, Alec & Megan at
Angeli's Restaurant. |
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November 27, 2009
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Del Dotto Cabernet Franc Napa Valley 1997
- RM 92 - Floral and spice aromatics, full bodied, full silky
texture, forward black berry and currant fruits accented by spice,
leather and hint of cedar on a long smooth tannin finish.
Del Dotto Napa Valley Sangiovese Marsannay 2000
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RM 88 Black cherry, black
berry, herbs, black olive and hint of leather and spice on the
moderate tannin |
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finish. Unique one of a kind special Marsannay French
oak barrel aged selection, usually reserved for
Del Dotto's famous Connoisseurs Series Cabernet. Del
Dotto was a featured producer
in our Napa Wine Experiences. Tasted w/ L, Ryan & Michelle, Alec &
Megan at
Angeli's Restaurant. |
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June 1, 2009 - Del Dotto
Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1999 -
RM 88 - Medium
bodied, blackberry, black cherry fruit, leathery cedar and black tea on
the moderate tannin finish. Blend of sangiovese, cabernet, merlot and
petit verdot. Drank from magnum from the cellar - at Morton's Naperville
with RG and AC-C and BC team. |
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May 28,
2009 -
Del Dotto Vineyards
Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1997 -
RM 88 - More open and approachable
than when young - medium bodied, earthy dark cherry and blackberry
fruits give way to moderate tannin on the subtle oaky finish. Tasted w/
dinner at
Angeli's Restaurant
w/ L, Mark and Shirley. |
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April
11, 2009 - Del
Dotto "The David" Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Proprietary Red 2000
- RM 89, RP 91 - Full bodied, firm, red
and black currant fruits and new oak on the front give way to a complex
mix of cedar, white pepper, tobacco leaf, smoke and lead pencil
shavings. - 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot , 26% Cabernet Franc.
Tasted from the cellar w/ L and Erin at the
Angus Barn in Raleigh.
Toured their magnificent
cellar,
purportedly the second largest on the
east coast US.
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Del Dotto Napa Valley Sangiovese 1998
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March
22, 2009 |
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Del Dotto Napa Valley Sangiovese 1998
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February 15, 2009 |
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December 20, 2008
- Lanscom NV Brut Rose Reserve Champagne - Del Dotto
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - Venge Family
Reserve Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 -
Matthews Cellars Yakima Valley Meritage Red Wine 1998
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November 21, 2008 - DEL
DOTTO Napa Valley Sangiovese
1998 - (RM89)
$40 Del Dotto's first release of a 100% Sangiovese, grown on the
mountains of Calistoga in Napa Valley. Super fruity nose with a smoky
slightly earthy floral flavor - chunky fruity wine.
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October 14, 2008 - Del Dotto Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
- RM 90 -
Consistent w/ previous tasting notes. RM 91 WS 85 - $65 - Big
floral berry scent - big mouthful of currant, plum and berry and a hint
of cassis with a long full lingering finish accented by full but soft
tannins. Tasted w/ L and Ryan BYOB at
Angelis Italian Restaurant. |
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July 1, 2008 - Del Dotto Vineyards Napa
Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - RM 90; Dunham Vineyards Columbia Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - RM 89 -
Amazing similarity in these wines - full
firm, black fruits, black cherry, cigar box, tea and moderate tannins.
Tasted with Analysts team Ted H, Skip F, and Tim G
BYOB at Angelis - served by Alec. |
May 30, 2008 - Del Dotto Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
- RM 93 WS 93 - The 99 may be the best ever Cab from our friends Dave
and Yolanda Del Dotto - and winemaker Nils Venge. Its delicious! Intense
dark cherry, currant and blackberry with a lingering finish - tight
structured tannins and nice balance. DDO was featured in our
Napa Wine
Experience 2003. Tasted w/ L BYOB at
Angeli's Restaurant,
our favorite local neighborhood
bistro. |
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April 30, 2008 - Del Dotto Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - RM 87 - Starting to show its age,
bright berry and black cherry fruit give way to slight earthy leather on
the finish.
Tasted w/ L and Alec BYOB at
Angeli's Restaurant,
our favorite
neighborhood bistro. |
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March 9, 2008 - Del Dotto Vineyards Napa
Valley Cabernet Franc 1998 - RM 90 -
Medium bodied, slightly earthy and leathery, spicy black cherry, a hint
of pepper and cassis with firm lingering tannins on the long finish.
Tasted w/ L BYOB at
Angeli's Restaurant,
our favorite neighborhood bistro. |
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February 10, 2008
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DEL DOTTO Napa Valley Sangiovese
1998 - (RM89)
$40 Del Dotto's first release of a 100% Sangiovese, grown on the
mountains of Calistoga in Napa Valley. Super fruity nose with a smoky
slightly earthy floral flavor - chunky fruity wine. This wine has
developed more depth and breath with age. A favorite of Nils Venge, DDO
winemaker. Only a few hundred cases were produced of these early
releases. Tasted w/ L, Tony and Dick BYOB at
Angeli's Restaurant,
our favorite neighborhood bistro. |
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April 22, 2007 - Del Dotto Vineyards Napa
Valley Cabernet Franc 1998
- RM 90 - Medium bodied, slightly
earthy and leathery, spicy black cherry, pepper,
cassis with firm lingering tannins on the long
finish. Perfect compliment to B-B-Que rib dinner
on the deck w/ L, Alec, and Erin & Johnny just
returned from Hawaii. |
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March 2,
2007 - Del Dotto Vineyards Cave Blend 2000 - RM 90 - Full fruit,
flavor of dark cherry, anise, a hint of licorice on the finish. |
January 6, 2007 - Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 1998 - RM
89 - Full fruit filled, full bodied - blackberry, black cherry, a hint of
mocha, licorice and tar on the finish. |
Jan 25, 2006 - Del Dotto
Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve Napa Valley 1999 - RM 93 Rich full bodied
full berry and cherry fruit with jammy plum. Tasted from magnum with TS
Jim K, Leo W, Gordon and Scott E at Capital Grille in Tysons. |
Jan 24, 2006 - Del Dotto Giovanni's Tuscan
Reserve Napa Valley 1997 - RM 87 - Closed, tight and a bit of
a barnyard funkiness that wore off after an hour and half - needs time
to settle, soften and open to reveal more of its dark berry fruit and
firm tannin and oaky finish. |
October 16, 2005 - DEL DOTTO Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
- (RM92) $62 - Perfume of sweet
oak & plum - flavor packed currant, black berry, cherry and a sweet oak
smooth vanilla finish with soft tannins. The 15% Merlot and 5% Cab Franc add
roundness and a hint of spice and smoke. 27 months aging in a variety
of oak barrels adds a unique delicious sweet oak complexity. |
June 29,
2005 - Del Dotto Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1998 - RM 88
This 98 Napa cab is starting to show some age...appearing to have lost
some of its fruit and losing luster from its previous RM 93 rating ...
The berry is still intense but now turned a slight bit austere
cherry seeming super ripe with licorice and a hint of tar on the
moderate tannin finish. |
Mar 20, 2005 - DEL DOTTO Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - (RM90) $62 -
Perfume of sweet oak & plum - flavor packed currant, black berry, cherry
and a sweet oak smooth vanilla finish with soft tannins. The 15% Merlot
and 5% Cab Franc add roundness and a hint of spice and smoke. 27 months
aging in a variety of oak barrels adds a unique delicious sweet oak
complexity. |
Jan
29, 2005 -
DEL DOTTO Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
- RM 91 WS 85 - $65
- Big floral berry scent - big mouthful of currant, plum and berry and a
hint of cassis with a long full lingering finish. |
Jan 14, 2005 - Del
Dotto Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - RM 87 $65 - Dark,
spicy black cherry, blackberry and currant. Tasted at family dinner at
D'Angelas in Naperville, sending Ryan off to school and early birthday
dinner for Erin. |
September 9, 2004 - DEL DOTTO Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
- (RM92) $62 - Perfume of sweet
oak & plum - flavor packed currant, black berry, cherry and a sweet oak
smooth vanilla finish with soft tannins. The 15% Merlot and 5% Cab Franc add
roundness and a hint of spice and smoke. 27 months aging in a variety
of oak barrels adds a unique delicious sweet oak complexity. |
June 17, 2004 - DEL DOTTO Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
- (RM92) $62 - Perfume of sweet oak & plum
- flavor packed currant, black berry, cherry and a sweet oak smooth vanilla
finish with soft tannins. The 15% Merlot and 5% Cab Franc add roundness and
a hint of spice and smoke. 27 months aging in a variety of oak barrels adds
a unique delicious sweet oak complexity Tasted at home w/ Pela's in from
PHX and Singapore. |
Dec 25, 2003 - Del Dotto
Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 RM 93 WS 93 Continuing a Christmas
tradition - beef tenderloin and DDO Cabernet. The 99 may be the best ever
Cab from our friends Dave and Yolanda Del Dotto - and winemaker Nils Venge.
Its delicious! Intense dark cherry, currant and blackberry with a lingering
finish - tight structured tannins and nice balance. This was the perfect
complement to our holiday beef tenderloin dinner. DDO was featured in our
Napa Wine Experience
2003. |
Sept 27, 2003 - Del Dotto
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 RM 91 RP 90-92 Intense smoky cherry
with balanced tannins and a hint of currant, plum and berry. Long time
favorite from Del Dotto friends. |
Aug 27, 2003 1998 DEL DOTTO
Napa Valley Sangiovese - (RM90) $40
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April 2, 2003 - Del Dotto Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 RM 93 WS 93 This may be the best
ever Cab from our good friends Dave and Yolanda Del Dotto - and winemaker
Nils Venge. Its delicious! Intense dark cherry, currant and blackberry with
a lingering finish - tight structured tannins and nice balance. Took this
along on holiday - a good thing since the available selections were
extremely limited in the Caribbean. |
Dec 25, 2002 - Del Dotto
Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 RM 93 WS 93 This may be the best ever
Cab from our friends Dave and Yolanda Del Dotto - and winemaker Nils Venge.
Its delicious! Intense dark cherry, currant and blackberry with a lingering
finish - tight structured tannins and nice balance. This was the perfect
complement to our holiday beef tenderloin dinner. I first tasted this in the
barrel in the DDO caves and then at this summer's
Barrels and Beef Extravaganza at Del Dotto. Pick
this up if you can. |
Aug 27, 2002 - Harlan
Maiden 1998, DEL DOTTO David 1999, DEL DOTTO Napa Valley Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon 1996, Venge Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 - Tasted with
Dave & Yolanda Del Dotto at Bouchon in Yountville. |
Aug 24, 2002 - Barrel
Tastings at the Del Dotto Vineyards Barrels and Beasts Extravaganza - Del
Dotto David 1999, Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon Connoisseurs Series
Colbert Cooperage 1999, Mousanay Cooperage 1999, Del Dotto Napa Valley
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Del Dotto Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Franc
1999, Del Dotto Napa Valley Estate Sangiovese 1999, Del Dotto Napa Valley
Estate Merlot 1999 |
Nov 3, 2001
1998 DEL DOTTO
Napa Valley Sangiovese - (RM92) $40 |
Aug 31, 2001 1998 DEL DOTTO
Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve - (RM93) $48 This is DDO's
flagship blend of Cabernet (83%) and Sangiovese (17%). The 1998 growing year
reduced the crop by 30% from previous years giving the Cabernet a heartier
body and longer aging ability than previous years. Revealing the
Sangiovese's fruity nose with a strong intense floral flavor - add the Cab
and you have a a big full bodied chunky fruity wine with dark cherry, berry,
red licorice. Twelve hundred cases are available. |
Jan 1, 2001 - 1997 Del
Dotto Napa Valley Cabernet Franc - (WS91- RM91)$48 (Label)
(Website)
Flavorful pepper-spice, vanilla, cedar, black cherry. The hit of the
New's Year's party at Fiorito's. |
Mar 11, 2000 -
1998 DEL DOTTO Napa Valley
Sangiovese - (RM92) $40 This is DDO's first release of a 100%
Sangiovese, grown on the mountains of Calistoga in Napa Valley. Super fruity
nose with a strong intense floral flavor - a big chunky fruity wine. A
favorite of Nils Venge, DDO winemaker. Only a few hundred cases are
available. |
Feb 6, 2000 - 1998 DEL DOTTO Napa Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon - (RM92) $62 Perfume of sweet oak & plum - flavor packed
currant, black berry, cherry and a sweet oak smooth vanilla finish with soft
tannins. The 15% Merlot and 5% Cab Franc add roundness and a hint of spice
and smoke. 27 months aging in a variety of oak barrels adds a unique
delicious sweet oak complexity Nils Venge is consulting winemaker. |
22 Jan 2000 - 1997 Del Dotto
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $54. Wow. Here come the 97's
and if this is an indication then its going to be a great year! This is a
big wine with lots of fruit and a nice balance of oak. A layer of smoke and
leather grace black cherry, plum and a vanilla and soft cocoa finish. It
should be fun to watch this wine age over the next decade. (RM92) |
Dec 20, 1999 - Del Dotto
Giovanni Tuscan Reserve Napa 1995 WS91 $45. Full fruit, oak, berry,
chocolate, mushroom, spice - big finish. Cab Sauv Sangiovese blend - only
190 cases produced - find it at
K&L and Kellys.This one was
tops against the next three (two Opus's!!) with Paradigm a close second |
11 Dec 99 - Del Dotto 1997 Napa Cabernet
Franc (WS 91) $48 - cedar, spice, coffee, black cherry -
polished - limited production - sold out quickly - try their Cab Sav. Of six
wines, this was the hit of Fiorito's Christmas Party. S |
July 4, 1999 -
Napa Wine Experience 99 -
Luncheon At Tra Vigne featuring Dave and Yolanda Del Dotto
of Del Dotto Vineyards. Wines Tasted: Del Dotto Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve
1996, Del Dotto Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1997, Del Dotto Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon 1996, Del Dotto Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 1997, David
Arthur Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996, Elan Vineyards Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon 1996. |
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