Mission Codename On da Money
“A very impressive revival of this historical estate in Rutherford, under the diligent consultancy of Philippe Melka, Dana Estates is producing polished and expressive superstar wines” - Wine Advocate
If names like Colgin, Shafer, Carter, Harlan Estate get your salivary juices flowing, then you probably also know Dana Estates. The famed winery sits in the pantheon of Napa’s elite. While Vaso, our main feature today is their ‘weekday’ Cabernet Sauvignon these FOUR other gems in the store - albeit just a few bottles - are highly allocated treasures rarely seen outside their mailing list.
These will not last.
Dana Estates and their wines that have attained perfection since their third release back in 2007 earning a first 100-point review by Robert Parker. They have not skipped a beat since. Given Melka’s track record at some of the very top wine estates around the globe (Pétrus, Haut-Brion, Dominus, Bryant Family, Hundred Acre, Dalla Valle, etc.) you just can’t go wrong.
96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Onda checks in as a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot that was comes from all four vineyards of the estate. It has a deep ruby color as well as a beautiful bouquet of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, herbes de Provence, and high-class smoke tobacco. It’s a rich, full-bodied, plush, incredibly sexy wine that has a great mid-palate, nicely integrated oak, terrific complexity, and a beautiful finish. It’s already hard to resist, but it’s going to cruise on its balance in cool cellars. Drink 2024-2045.”
96 Points – James Suckling
“Nestled just below the Mayacamas Mountains in the Rutherford appellation is Dana Estates, a relatively new property with some exceptional vineyards that produces some of the most compelling cabernets in the Napa Valley region. Korean entrepreneur Hi Sang Lee bought the estate in 2005, and since then the winery has only gone from strength to strength. Dana currently makes four wines, three of which are single vineyards: Helms in Rutherford, Hershey in Howell Mountain and Lotus in the Vaca Mountains. Through these bottlings, the estate aims to emphasize the typicity of the different terroirs of the Napa Valley. The 2016 is a very tight Onda, showing beautiful balance and brightness with blackberries and blueberries and chocolate undertones. Full body and rich, polished tannins. Balance and harmony here. Hard not to drink now.”
What the Winery Says
2016 'Onda' Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Consulting winemaker
- Philippe Melka
- Winemaker
- Chris Cooney
- Vintage
- 2016
- Varietals
- 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
- Appellations
- Howell Mountain & Rutherford, Napa Valley
- Vineyards
- Crystal Springs, Hershey, Lotus, Helms
- Alcohol
- 16.1%
- Total acidity
- 5.8 g/L
- pH
- 3.76 g/L
- Bottling date
- July 13, 2018
- Aging
- 20 months
- Barrels
- 66% new French oak
- Coopers
- Ermitage, Taransaud, Baron, Demptos, Sylvain, Artisan