VASO Cellars
(DANA) Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 96] [JD 94] [VM 92]

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 this Wine:
VASO Cellars’ flagship red wine brings together grapes from sustainably farmed vineyards that prioritize organic, biodynamic, and fish-friendly practices. We ferment using natural yeasts and a variety of fermentation vessels to encourage each lot to reach its full potential. Blending all of these unique elements together, we create a vibrant and complex wine with supple tannins and a perfect balance of rich fruit, minerality and freshness. Thanks to its dynamic energy and harmonious structure, this wine will age well for a decade or more.

VINTAGE
The 2021 season started off with a dry, cold winter season. We experience a return to drought conditions with only a quarter of the normal winter season rain. The cool spring pushed budbreak into the middle of April. Warm sunny weather finally arrived at the end of April and continued into May allowing the vine growth to steadily progress. The dry conditions gave us balanced vines by limiting shoot growth and setting a small crop. The rest of the growing season gave us perfect weather with only a few days over 100 degrees F. Ripening progressed steadily and uniformly. The small crop, dry weather, and abundant sunny days set things up for an early start to harvest. The dry, low yielding vintage produced wines with great intensity of flavor, energy, and balanced tannins. A stunning vintage.

HARVEST
The Cabernet Sauvignon harvest was early and completed over four weeks; from the first week of September through the first week in October. The cooler than average nights kept acidity high. Moderate sunny days, and a small crop, allowed ripening to progress at a steady pace. Our first pick was at our warmest vineyard site on September 7th. About a week later we harvested the Merlot and Malbec from our Howell Mountain vineyard. The rest of the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked in an orderly but un-hurried fashion through the end of the first week in October. This early finish to the harvest was fortunate as the end of October was the wettest recorded. The grape berries were small, with moderately thick skins, and bright acidity.

METHOD
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were hand harvested and sorted before destemming. After, we used a combination of optical and hand sorting of the berries before gravity filling the fermentation tanks. We used various fermentation vessels including oak upright, concrete, and stainless-steel tanks, as well as single barrel fermentations. After undergoing natural fermentation, the free run juice is drained directly off skins to barrel for native malolactic fermentation and aging until blending in early Spring. After blending and racking the wines age undisturbed until bottling.

Tasting Notes:
Heady aromatics of Bing cherry, fresh flowers, plum fruit, and baking spices. Energetic & precise with minerality, red currant and bright red and blue fruit acidity, which fill the mouth. Lengthy and elegant, soft enveloping texture.

Ratings and Reviews

96 Points - James Suckling:
"A juicy red with currant, earth, spice and walnut. Very juicy. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and an earthy, crushed stone and flavorful finish. Really excellent. Crunchy. Needs time. 10% new wood. Best after 2028."  (Nov 2023)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Always a great value, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Vaso might be the best yet. Coming from a mix of sites, it has a full-bodied, fleshy, layered profile as well as quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon notes of ripe black and blue fruits, graphite, spicy oak, and leafy herbs. This broad, concentrated, ripe, seamless beauty has the class to drink nicely today yet evolve gracefully for 15 years if well stored. (Drink between 2025-2040)."  (Jan 2025)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Vaso is gorgeous. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry fruit and spice are all beautifully lifted. This mid-weight, nuanced Cabernet is all class. Best of all, the 2021 will be a joy to drink young. A burst of sweet red fruit and blood orange lingers on the vibrant finish. Lovely. (Drink between 2023-2031)." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2023)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A plush, inviting style, with a core of gently mulled blackberry and black currant fruit dotted with singed alder and cedar notes on the finish. Drink now through 2035. 4,412 cases made." - James Molesworth (Nov 2024)