Dana Estates Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- wa97-99
- v96
- jd96
Category | Red Wine |
Varietal | |
Brand | Dana Estates |
Origin | California, Napa Valley, Rutherford |
Other vintages
Nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in the Napa Valley, Dana Estates is dedicated to making small lots of truly distinctive world class wines. Dana is a Sanskrit term meaning “the Spirit of Generosity.” It is in this spirit that we express a profound appreciation for those that have worked the soil before us, as we build on the foundations laid by previous generations of vintners. Blending history and tradition with cutting edge vineyard management, a new state of the art winery and meticulous winemaking, Dana Estates strives to make the greatest wines possible. In so doing, we hope to provide a link between the past and future generations of vintners, and all those who appreciate the generosity of this special land.
Dana Estates produces three single vineyards wines, from sites that are dramatically different from one another. Each vineyard is farmed organically at low yields to allow the unique qualities of each site to be expressed in the bottle. Multiple passes through the vineyards are made during harvest, and only the purest expressions of fruit and most balanced lots make it into Dana wines. Depending on the character of each lot, blocks are fermented in either concrete tanks, oak uprights or small barrels to enhance vineyard characteristics and help produce wines of distinction and sophistication.
Wine Advocate
- wa97-99
Helms vineyard consists of five acres on gravelly loam, right on the northern edge of the Rutherford bench, planted in 1997 and 1998 to Cabernet Sauvignon clones See and 337. This barrel sample of the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and is due to be aged for 21 months in French oak barrels, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes with bombastic scents of crushed blackberries, plum preserves and crème de cassis followed by nuances of red roses, black tea, eucalyptus oil and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shimmers with juicy black fruits, supported by ripe, soft tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 402 cases are projected to be made.
Vinous
- v96
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is soft, open-knit and gracious, as it always is. Silky tannins lend considerable charm to this decidedly polished, understated Cabernet from Dana. Crushed flowers, mint, spice, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco linger on the close. It will be interesting to see if the Helms gains more volume with time in bottle. Today it is decidedly on the ethereal side of things, within the context of these wines. Bright floral notes linger on the close.
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd96
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is a medium to full-bodied, ripe, exotic, already complex beauty that gives up lots of cassis and plum fruits, notes of violets, orange blossom, and spice, building tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s an incredibly complex, layered, satisfying Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the coming 20-25 years.