2010 Dana Estates, Cabernet Sauvignon Onda, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml)

"Full red-ruby. Musky, slightly low-toned aromas of currant, plum, mocha and soil. Silky, seamless and sweet on entry, offering plush plum, redcurrant and spice flavors and just enough acidity to maintain energy and definition. I find this ready to drink but its long, suavely tannic finish suggests it will go on for at least another 10 years. Utterly mouthfilling and thick without being heavy--but not quite as rich or deep as the Helms Vineyard bottling. The tannins are also a bit less noble but the wine's finish is long and powerful. At 15.6% ABV, the Onda is obviously high in alcohol, like the Helms (15.6%), but here the warmth is a bit more apparent in the wine's slightly porty quality. Onda is a blend of Dana Estates's four vineyards: Helms, Crystal Springs, Lotus and Hershey; aged in 70% new French oak, vs. 100% for the vineyard-designated wines." ST for VM May 2020
Dana Estates, Cabernet Sauvignon Onda, Napa Valley
"Proprietor Hi Sang Lee has resurrected this once historic estate in Rutherford where the winery was first constructed in 1883 by H. W. Helms. There are four cuvees as of 2010, the Crystal Springs Vineyard on Howell Mountain, the Helms Vineyard in Rutherford, the Hershey Vineyard on Howell Mountain and the Lotus Vineyard in Napa Valley. They also produce a wine called Onda, which is meant to be a more forward styled, lower priced effort. Kudos to Hi Sang Lee and his son for resurrecting this historic estate." RP Oct 2013