2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyards
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Tasting notes
Having already outlived initial projections regarding its agreeability, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard represents the first vintage under the inspired leadership of proprietor Hi Sang Lee. It's mature at this point, drinking well, with notes of cherries, spice and dusty earth on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a long, silky-textured finish. I suspect this review is of largely academic interest, but it gives some indication of how well more recent vintages may evolve.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
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.
(55% barrel-fermented, the rest done in stainless steel tank) 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.
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.