Dana EstatesHershey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Dana Estates is the third winery to occupy this piece of vineyard land in the heart of the famed Rutherford Bench. First farmed and developed by German viticulturalist H. W. Helms in 1883, it was purchased in 1976 by John and Diane Livingston and served as the home for Livingston Moffett winery until proprietor Hi Sang Lee bought the property in 2005. The winery was re-designed by renowned architect Howard Backen, keeping the original stone walls as its centerpiece. Hi Sang and Howard worked carefully with winemakers Philippe Melka and Cameron Vawter to insure that the space and facilities would enable the production of consistently world class wines. The incredibly rocky, rhyolitic soils of the estate vineyard, Hershey, is located on Howell Mountain, which grows fruit with structure and depth, yet the cool climate produces a wine of restraint and vibrant acidity. An underlying minerality gives the wine a particularly distinctive character and provides another layer of complexity. The appellation has become a favorite of collectors who value the age worthy capacity of wines from this elevation. The 2016 Hershey exhibits the complexity and minerality that define this mountain vineyard. The wine opens with notes of red currant, blackberries, mingled with notes of espresso, bitter orange zest and dried herbs. The rich mountain tannins frame a creamy entry onto the palate. The wine builds across the palate with flavors of plums, currants, and bitter chocolate that meld with hints of sage, forest floor and an intriguing salinity. The vibrancy makes the wine enticing now, though it will age gracefully through 2036. I strongly recommend laying this wine down for another 2-3 years before enjoying it. Dana single vineyard Cabernets are meant to be aged in the bottle and will only improve and evolve with time.