2019 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard comes from the eight-acre parcel adjacent to the winery, on the northern end of the Rutherford Bench, snuggled up under the Mayacamas range. Longtime fans of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon might recognize it as the former Livingston-Moffett site. Planted to the See selection and Clone 337 and matured in 100% new French oak, it boasts super ripe dark-fruit notes—think dimpled black cherries and cassis—enlivened with hints of mint and sage on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is concentrated and rich, with a long velvety finish.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Showing consistently (if not a touch better) than earlier this year, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is a medium to full-bodied, complex, incredibly satisfying Cabernet offering lots of cassis and plum fruits, ripe, integrated tannins, wonderful purity of fruit, and lifted, exotic notes of candied violets, tobacco, and spice. It's drinking nicely today, but it should have two decades of overall longevity.
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is classy, elegant and polished. Bright acids and beams of supporting tannin give the Helms terrific energy and vibrancy. The 2019 is a gorgeous Helms. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, dried herbs, mint and a hint or rose petal lend aromatic brilliance to a sculpted, mid-weight Cabernet that is more finesse than power. I love the purity here.
Aromas of red currants, crushed stone, bark and some red licorice follow through to a medium to full body with creamy and medium-round tannins. Hints of chocolate, walnut and stone. Really fine-grained and silky tannins. Try after 2026.
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.