Dana Estates - Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

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Producer	Dana Estates
Country	United States
Region	California
Subregion	Napa County
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage	2011
Sku	12584
Size	750ml

The 2011 vintage began with a wet spring, followed by an unseasonable cool and wet June. This gave an extra push to canopies and boosted berry size. As organic farmers we worked diligently in the vineyards to increase cover crop competition to dry soil profiles. We also made extra leaf thinning passes to ensure balanced light infiltration into the fruiting zone to maximize flavor development. Heat events were minimal with only one day in July where temperatures breached 100 degrees. The rest of the vintage was cool and moderate. The wines of this vintage challenged us as winemakers and organic grape growers, but our hard work has paid off. The wines are showing complexity and depth with a broader range of flavors.

It’s rare but not surprising that Helms was our latest pick in 2011. We received almost 2.5” of rain on October 4th and 5th and then another 1.25” on the 11th. The beautiful weeks that followed allowed for a nice drying out period, and we picked the entire ranch on November 3rd. We began picking from the upper, well drained soils and filled individual fermentation barrels as we progressed down the hill. This provided many lots based on the soil changes and allowed us to maximize the quality of the blend in a more challenging vintage. Native primary and secondary fermentation took place in barrel.

Concentrated ripe yellow plum, dried powdery white flowers, moist earth, tar and red cherry abound on the nose. The oak is well integrated showing cedar, toast and vanilla. Even in a moist vintage the 2011 Helms expresses its roots with dusty Rutherford tannins that balance and broaden the mid palate and finish. The wine builds seamlessly on the finish showing wonderful energy in this youthful cabernet. It should age comfortably for 10-15 years.

Appellation: Rutherford, Napa Valley

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Ageing: 19 months in 100% New French Oak

Barrel Coopers: Baron, Ermitage, Demptos, Taransaud

Alcohol: 14.5%

Titratable Acidity: 4.92 g/l

pH: 3.83

Bottling Date: June 10th, 2013

Production: 172 cases

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is a huge, immense wine. Tar, cloves, licorice and smoke literally burst from the glass. The 2011 boasts stunning depth, striking inner perfume and tons of pure harmony. Already impressive six months ago, the 2011 continues to put on additional weight. I won’t be surprised if the 2011 comes very close to – or even surpasses the 2010 in terms of overall quality. It is that exceptional. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.

Good red-ruby color. Perfumed aromas of cherry, licorice and flowers. Smooth and broad, with lovely intensity and purity to its flavors of redcurrant, cherry, nutty oak and Rutherford dust. Finishes with slightly drying tannins.