Dana Estate Cabernet Sauvignon "Helms Vineyard" 2021
(Rutherford, Napa Valley, California) - [JS 99] [WA 98] [JD 97] [VM 96]

There are three single vineyards spread across the Rutherford and Howell Mountain AVAs. The Helms Vineyard, in Rutherford, is planted solely to Cabernet Sauvignon, and is planted on gentle slopes with well-draining, gravelly loam soils.

In Howell Mountain, the Lotus and Hershey vineyards have slightly cooler climates and are both planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, the latter with a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc.

In the winery, grapes are fermented in either in concrete tanks, oak uprights or small barrels subject to the character of each vineyard plot. Dana's red wines are all aged in French oak barrels, mostly new, for up to two years depending on the vintage. The Sauvignon Blanc is also aged in barrel, although the percentage of new oak is much less.

Helms Vineyard
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 site’s 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 Estate’s most classically styled bottling, evoking the old world wines that inspired our project.

Ratings and Reviews

99 Points - James Suckling:
"Lots of walnuts, herbs, pine needles, and currants with some plums. Oyster shell. Moss. Autumn leaves give this a sweetness. It’s medium to full body with a compacted palate. It is very juicy with a fatness, richness and firmness but then turns soft and decadent. So savory. Spices like nutmeg and light cloves. Makes you want to drink it now but will age beautifully. Best after 2028." (Jul 2024)

98 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Even better than the very fine 2019 version, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard boasts a stupendous nose of mixed red and black cherries seasoned with hints of cinnamon and dusty earth. It follows that with ample weight and concentration, a lovely silky texture and a long finish. Vinified in a combination of oak and concrete and then aged in 100% new French oak, it shows no overt cedar or vanilla, just a harmonious wave of pure pleasure. Yes, it's expensive, but consider that the drought year and an extreme selection process meant that only 312 cases were produced." - Joe Czerwinski (Oct 2024)

97+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Tasted out of bottle, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (SEE and 337 clones). Black cherries, graphite, violets, spring flowers, and darker chocolate all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's tight and reserved, but this beauty is loaded with potential and makes the most of the vintage with its balanced, classy style." Drink 2027-2052. (Dec 2023)

96 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is a gorgeous, exotic wine. Strong floral and savory notes inform the captivating bouquet. Layered and vibrant on the palate, with notable energy, the 2021 is super-impressive. Inky dark fruit, lavender, chocolate, spice, graphite and menthol are all finely delineated. The Helms has shut down a bit since I tasted it last year, which may be a good sign for its future." Drink 2027-2041. - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2024)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This bursts with lively flavors of black cherry and loganberry fruit, while licorice snap, apple wood and violet notes form the backdrop. A more overt and flattering style than most Rutherford Cabs. Drink now through 2040. 312 cases made." - James Molesworth (Sep 2024)