Dana - Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (750ml)

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Producer	Dana
Country	United States
Region	Napa Valley
Subregion	Rutherford
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage	2005
Sku	118572
Size	750ml
ABV	14.80%

 

Logan

We were blessed with a gentle, near perfect growing season in 2005.  Spring rains helped transform the cover crop nitrogen into natural vine nutrients.  Summer came and went with generally mild conditions, providing nice, even fruit maturation.  The fall ripening period offered warm days and cool nights for flavor development and acid retention. 

We picked the afternoon side of the vines on October 4th, waiting another week to pick the morning, less exposed side.  This gives us the ability to keep everything separate, taking advantage of the different ripening patterns of the vineyard blocks.  Our last block came in on October 18th.  Sixty percent of the lots were fermented in 400 liter barrels.  This small lot, labor intensive fermentation fleshes out the mid palate, adding density and concentration and speeds up oak integration, as well.  The barrels are rolled three times a day, a gentler way of handling fruit instead of the traditional pumpover or punchdown performed in tanks.  Pressing began in late October and extended into late November with the free run juice drained directly to barrel by gravity.  Malolactic was native, and the fermentation was complete in mid-January. 

The 2005 Helms Vineyard Cabernet is full bodied and layered, with aromatic notes of spice, leather, and forest floor.  Black cherry, blackberry and black currant flavors dominate the palate with enticing hints of chocolate and licorice.  The tannins are ample yet integrated; the mouthfeel is rich, and the finish is long.  The wine is drinking beautifully now but will age gracefully for many years. 

94 points Jeb Dunnuck

 The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard comes from vines around the estate in Rutherford planted in more gravelly soils. It offers lots of savory, tobacco, and mineral-laced aromas, with an almost Graves-like earthiness. Full-bodied, loaded with cassis and dark fruits, ripe tannins, and beautiful balance, it’s drinking nicely today yet has another decade or more of prime drinking.  (1/2019)

94 points Wine Advocate

 Deep garnet in color, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is profoundly scented of crème de cassis, baked plums and dried Mediterranean herbs with hints of Bovril, charcuterie and cigar box with a waft of incense. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with maturing black berry preserves and meaty/savory notions, structured by chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy. Still a lot of life left! (LPB)  (12/2017)

92 points Int'l Wine Cellar

 Good full ruby. Black fruits, raspberry, tar and earth on the nose, along with intriguing balsamic and chocolatey nuances. Concentrated and expressive, with classic flavors of dark berries and Rutherford dust complicated by floral and saline elements and a whiff of underbrush. Fat and sweet but juicy, and long and brisk on the aftertaste. A superb first release: I like this style. This wine is made from Dana's home vineyard, next to the spectacular new winery built by owner Hi Sang Lee. (ST)  (6/2009)

92 points Wine Spectator

 Ripe, sweet cranberry and wild berry fruit is supple and elegant, with spice, cedar and mineral. Full-bodied, young and restrained, with an engaging finish. (JL)  (6/2009)