Today we present the stunning wines of Valette and Chef Dustin Valette. Valette is a limited-production wine brand with bottlings carefully crafted but by Jesse Katz (Devil Proof, Aperture). Katz is making clearly some of the finest wines on the West Coast and creates a pillowy, signature texture and refinement with all of his wines. His Devil Proof brand is without a doubt the best new world Malbec on the market today.
Chef Valette landed at Thomas Keller’s one-Michelin-star Bouchon in the Napa Valley and later worked at Michelin-starred Aqua in San Francisco, finally as executive sous chef under Laurent Manrique. Back in 2015 he opened his own restaurant, Valette in Healdsburg. The cuisine here is focused on modern American with a French twist.
This is now the third round of wines that I have tasted for Chef Valette’s brand. As remarkable as the first edition of the wines were, these are even more remarkable considering the obvious challenges of the 2022 vintage — one that was marred with heat spikes at harvest. Katz and his fellow winemaker Hillary Sjolund essentially pulled a rabbit out of the hat by making wines from 2022 that show obvious depth and concentration but also remarkable freshness.
I love the loamy soil character of Oakville. highlighting the loamy soil character of Oakville. The 2022 Valette Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) is another perfect wine made by Katz and Sjolund. It is seamless, beautifully-textured stuff that is absolutely scintillating to enjoy in its heady youth. So without further adieu here are my reviews of the new releases by Valette. Learn more at https://www.valettewines.com/
2023 Valette Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 Valette Sauvignon Blanc is a new wine for me that comes from the Fountain Grove AVA. Stored in mainly stainless steel before bottling beautiful white florals on the nose with kiwi and shades of lemongrass on the nose. The palate is viscous and intense with heady melon and citrus fruits. There is a beautiful push-pull in terms of finesse and viscosity. Drink 2025-2032- 95
2022 Valette ‘Pocket Peak’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Pocket Peak’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this location that is farmed by Stonestreet. Aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak this delivers a sinfully good texture with remarkable freshness and tension. Concentrated dark fruits, combine with mocha, tar and graphite on the palate. A total stunner, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 99
2022 Valette Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Valette Cabernet Sauvignon has slightly less Petit Verdot than the ’21. The wine comes from this Oakville site that is near Screaming Eagle. Gorgeous red and dark florals with red bell pepper mark the nose alongside chocolate and stony minerals. The palate is seamless and beautifully structured, as this is very pretty and stony. It is a remarkable achievement from this hot vintage. Drink 2025-2042- 100