Dana Estate Cabernet Sauvignon "Lotus Vineyard" Howell Mountain 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [JD 99] [JS 99] [VM 98] [WA 97+] [WS 94]

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.

Lotus Vineyard
This rocky, five-acre vineyard is located just below the Howell Mountain appellation, on the eastern side of Napa Valley. With virtually no topsoil, Lotus Vineyard pushes the vines to root deep into the iron-rich, fractured bedrock, resulting in concentrated fruit with extraordinary power, breadth and length. A range of aspects from southwest-facing to north-facing produces wonderful complexity of aromas, introducing spice, graphite, and chocolate to the muscular black fruit as the wine blooms on the palate. A perennial critic’s favorite, Lotus Vineyard is DANA’s biggest and most robust Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ratings and Reviews

99 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is serious stuff and I would certainly put it in the same league as the 2016 and 2019, although it has a style all its own. Incredible blue fruits, lavender, orange blossom, tobacco, and a bloody, iron-like character all define the full-bodied 2021. It brings that “iron fist in a velvety glove” like character and is incredibly concentrated yet flawlessly balanced. It will probably merit another point in 5-7 years and will be a 30+ year wine." (Jan 2025)

99 Points - James Suckling:
"This red shows graphite, blackberries, licorice, terra cotta and ink on the nose. The palate is plush but not heavy, with a weightless quality that floats across the palate and through the finish. Lightly chewy, precise, calm and muscular. Try after 2029." (Feb 2025)

98 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is gorgeous. As is often the case, the Lotus is the most exuberant of the Dana Cabernets. Plush tannins wrap around a core of red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange, cedar, spice and pipe tobacco. This heady Cabernet is showy to the core. It's a marvelously complete young wine." Drink 2027-2041. - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2024)

97+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"The most structured of the 2021s from Dana Estates is the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard. It's a firm, full-bodied effort that ideally needs several years in the cellar but can already be appreciated for its intermingled layers of cassis, blueberries and cherries accented by hints of licorice and bay leaves. In a decade's time, my rating may seem conservative as the tannins smooth out to reveal more silkiness on the long, mocha-tinged finish." - Joe Czerwinski (Oct 2024)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A solid version, with apple wood, violet and licorice snap notes liberally infusing a core of blackberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors. Vivid and energetic from start to finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. 305 cases made." - James Molesworth (Sep 2024)