Dana – Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (750ml)

Located adjacent to the historic DANA winery at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, Helms Vineyard is an 8-acre site on the western side of the Rutherford AVA. The sites deep soils include abundant riverbed gravel with decomposed remnants of an ancient seabed. Fruit from this site is richly perfumed, with beautiful plummy fruit and heady aromatics. Dusty cocoa-powder tannins have a natural softness and viscosity that lend elegant volume to the wines. Cabernet Sauvignon from Helms Vineyard is DANA Estates most classically styled bottling, evoking the old world wines that inspired our project.

Critical Acclaim

95 points James Suckling

A pure, aromatic red with currants and berries. Hints of flowers, forest floor and bark. Mushroom. Full body with firm, silky tannins and a juicy finish. Good tension and suppleness. Lovely dusty tannin texture. Drink or hold. (05/2014)

95 points Vinous

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is super-polished, elegant and finessed. Rose petals, sweet red berries, licorice, mint and cinnamon all take shape in a delineated, vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon. Darker, wilder notes appear with time in the glass, adding an element of exoticism that is hugely appealing. In 2011, the Helms was fermented entirely in barrel rather in oak uprights as is typically the custom as yields were tiny. The 2011 spent 26 months in barrel, 100% new. (AG, 11/2013)