2021 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard—from a site on Howell Mountain—displays a wonderfully complex bouquet highlighted by floral and piney accents to the black cherries, cassis and plums that cascade forth. Despite all that dark fruit—and aging in 100% new French oak—there's no sense of over-ripeness, just immaculately firm fruit framed by ripe, dusty tannins and a lingering, elegant finish. There is always a certain amount of hemming and hawing that goes into assigning a score like this, but ultimately I would rather be "stingy" than have readers disappointed if the wine doesn't reach their lofty expectations of what a triple-digit score signifies.

Tasted from barrel, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard is a gorgeous, mid-weight wine. Bright saline and mineral notes run through a core of blue/purplish fruit, chocolate, spice and lavender. This vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon sizzles with tension and energy. It's going to be a fabulous wine to follow.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard is exotic and dynamic in the glass. Graphite, slate, crushed rocks, lavender and sage meld into a core of dark-toned fruit. Bright acids and beams of tannin pull it all together in grand style. This young Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon has so much to offer, starting with a beguiling mix of aromatics, fruit and structure.