Dana Estates "Onda" Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
(Napa Valley, California) - [JD 96] [JS 96] [VM 93] [WS 93]

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.

In addition to the single vineyard wines, Dana Estates also produces a Bordeaux blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot.

About the wine:

VINTAGE The winter and early spring brought plentiful rain to the Napa Valley. A dry April was followed by one of the wettest May’s on record, topping off soils again. The moist soils meant the vines had access to nutrients in the soil, especially potassium. This resulted in full canopies and softer acidity in the wine. The cooler weather through mid-summer slowed shoot growth and delayed verasion by a few weeks. In mid-August the season warmed with 90-100F temperatures through the end of September. This allowed the vines to catch up with sugar and color accumulation after the cool wet start to the season. A perfect October allowed the fruit to ripen to optimal maturity without the threat of rain or heat spikes. The 2019 wines reflect the vintage with opulent fruit, silky tannins, and savory structured finish.

HARVEST Our Crystal Springs vineyard makes up the backbone of the 2019 Onda Cabernet Sauvignon. The harvest at Crystal began on September 30th with vines well drained soils on the Southwest portion of the vineyard. Harvest concluded at Crystal a week later from the steepest portion at the NE corner. The Petit Verdot was harvested next on October 7th. Lotus was harvested next on October 14th. Helms and Hershey were harvested in the same window from October 14th through the 23rd. The Cabernet Sauvignon was fermented in oak and concrete tanks. The Cabernet Franc was cofermented with Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines were pressed directly to barrels and malolactic was native. Aging took place in a mix of new and used French oak barriques and 500L puncheons.

Blend | 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Élevage | 21 months in 65% new French oak 

Alcohol | 15%

Bottling Date | July 16, 2021

Tasting Notes:

The 2019 Onda Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of blackberries, baking spice, and plum tart. Intermingled with the fruit are notes of coffee and a hint of graphite. Rich fruit with dense flavors of black cherries, plums, and currants layer with graphite and a briny minerality. The velvety mid-palate transitions to flavors of black truffle, brioche, and blackberry on the finish. The predominantly hillside provenance of the grapes lend a broad mouth coating tannin backbone. The touch of Cabernet Franc brings complexity with hints of mountain sage and lilacs. The Petit Verdot brings depth to the tannins and a hint of blueberries. While inviting now, this wine will grow in complexity as it continues to age. Enjoy now through 2040 and beyond.

Ratings and Reviews

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Onda is pure Cabernet Sauvignon cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and tobacco on the nose, and it reminds me of a great Saint-Julien from Bordeaux. Medium to full-bodied, straight, and focused, it shines on all accounts. It’s a beautiful Cabernet to drink over the coming 10-15 years." (March 2022)

96 Points - James Suckling
"Plenty of blue fruit, spices and cloves in the nose with red licorice and violets. Lilacs as well. Medium-bodied with polished, fine tannins. Black truffle and dark fruit. Pure and fine. Phenolics spread across the palate. So delicious now and can age beautifully. Comes mostly from Dana’s Crystal Spring. Drink or hold." (April 2022)

93 Points - Vinous
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Onda is a terrific introduction to the vintage at Dana Estates. Rich and sumptuous to the core, Onda offers tremendous appeal to match its stylish personality. Silky tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish berry fruit, with pretty floral and spice accents that lend brightness." Drink 2024-2034. - Antonio Galloni (October 2021)

93 Points - Wine Spectator
"A rich, polished style, with waves of warmed cassis and plum sauce gliding through. Stays firmly grounded through the finish, with light alder, tobacco and warm earth hints providing nice textural contrast and additional range. Best from 2023 through 2037. 1,929 cases made." - James Molesworth (October 2022)