The 2018 DVO Napa Valley Red, a proprietary blend, marks a new collaboration between Dalla Valle Vineyards from Napa Valley and Tuscany's renowned Ornellaia Estate. This maiden vintage, primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc, showcases the union of expertise from these two prestigious wine regions.

The wine has garnered significant praise from several respected wine critics. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it an impressive 98+ points, describing it as "intensely scented of baked plums, boysenberries, and Black Forest cake with an emerging perfume of potpourri, Indian spices and forest floor." The review emphasized the wine's "opulently fruited and plushly textured" palate, noting its long, mineral, and earth-tinged finish.

Jeb Dunnuck, who scored the wine 97 points, highlighted the complex and savory bouquet of "cassis and currant fruits intermixed with notes of chocolate, bouquet garni, and scorched earth." He pointed out the wine's youthful and unevolved nature on the palate, praising its "beautiful purity, ripe, silky tannins, and a great finish." Dunnuck recommends cellaring the wine for 4-6 years, suggesting it will evolve over the next two decades.

James Suckling, giving it 96 points, commended the wine for its balance and precision, noting flavors of "blackberry, currant, a touch of fresh herbs, light walnut, and cedar." He described it as "extremely balanced and polished," with "very fine tannins and a tight, intense finish." Suckling advises drinking it after 2025 but acknowledges its current beauty.

Vinous also rated the wine 96 points, lauding it as a "beautiful, racy wine" that captures the "energy and brightness" of its vineyard sites. Antonio Galloni from Vinous remarked on the wine's "bright acids and veins of tannin" and its "brisk, vibrant" nature, enhanced by the 22 months spent in barrel (70% new) and an additional month in tank prior to bottling.

Wine Spectator's review, which scored the wine 94 points, noted its "racy cast iron spine" and core flavors of "red currant, damson plum, and mulberry." The review appreciated the wine's rustic finish, driven by "singed alder and tobacco" notes, and advised drinking it between 2024 and 2038.

Decanter's review, also awarding 96 points, praised the wine's "immaculate structure" and "intense complexity." The review highlighted the aromatic layers of "dried Black Mission figs, pencil lead, crushed basalt, and dark chocolate" and the palate's notes of "smoked cedar, Italian plums, savory herbs, and espresso bean."

Overall, the 2018 DVO Napa Valley Red is a highly acclaimed, meticulously crafted wine that promises to evolve and impress over the coming years.