2018 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard
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A heady, statuesque wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is magnificent from the very first taste. The Lotus stands out for its vertical lift and tremendous explosive energy. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, new leather and menthol race out of the glass. The wine's depth, resonance and pedigree are simply thrilling. The 2018 is even better from bottle than it was from barrel, and that is saying a lot! (AG)
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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While the Helms Vineyard has an unquestionably Bordeaux vibe, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is a more classic Napa Valley beauty, with opulent aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, blueberries, candied violets, honeysuckle, and tobacco. Full-bodied, deep, rich, and incredibly textured, it packs a punch yet stays flawlessly balanced, has ripe tannins, wonderful purity, and a great finish.
Lotus Vineyard is just below Howell Mountain, not high enough to make that AVA. A very steep vineyard, 100% hand farmed, Lotus is by far the warmest site for this estate. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (clones 15, 4 and 337), aged for 25 months in French oak barrels, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with bold, flamboyant scents of chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries and warm cassis with hints of menthol, lilacs, clove oil and crushed rocks plus a waft of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully elegant, delivering vibrant black and blue fruits with a firm, exquisitely fine-grained texture and fantastic freshness, finishing with epic length and energy. 372 cases were made.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is heady, flamboyant and simply breathtaking in its beauty. Sumptuous blackberry fruit, mocha, licorice and sweet spice envelop the palate effortlessly. The tannins are silky and soft, perfectly integrated into the wine's fabric, as is the oak, which can sometimes be prominent in Lotus when it is young. This supremely gracious Cabernet Sauvignon has a very bright future.
About the producer
Located on the Rutherford bench, Dana Estates is a small Napa estate focused on producing fine, single-site Cabernet Sauvignon. The concentrated wines are some of the region’s most sought-after, regularly earning top ratings from critics – with 19 100-point scores to date.