2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyards
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Tasting notes
A truly sensational wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is just breathtaking. Fresh, vibrant and towering in its beauty, the 2016 possesses off-the-charts aromatic intensity, fruit vibrancy and total harmony. Sweet floral and spice notes add freshness to this plush, deeply resonant Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. The move to pick just a bit earlier has paid off big-time in bringing out the purity of the red-toned fruit. The 2016 is simply magnificent. Wow.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard was fermented 40% in barrels and 60% in oak tanks and spent 35 days on the skins. It aged for 20 months in French oak barrels and has a deep garnet-purple color. Wow—it comes charging out of the glass with beautifully bullish black cherries, crème de cassis, blackberry pie and raspberry preserves notes followed by hints of cigar box, Indian spices and licorice with a waft of dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with expressive black berry preserves, framed by soft, velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and multilayered.
This a vibrant wine. Such pretty hazelnut, violet and currant aromas follow through to a medium-to full-bodied palate with melted tannins that are hidden with the pure fruit. Shows a super finish. Give this at least four to five years to come together.
About the producer
Located on the Rutherford bench, Dana Estates is a small Napa estate focused on producing fine, single-site Cabernet Sauvignon. The concentrated wines are some of the region’s most sought-after, regularly earning top ratings from critics – with 19 100-point scores to date.