Many outstanding bottles were opened last week but there were only two names that stood out above of the rest… The red wines of the week were two powerful Cabernet based wines that made the greatest impression to my palate leaving behind tactile memories of glorious Cabernets… 2010 Promontory and the 2013 trio of DANA Estates… Bullet-proof wines that merit serious real estate in any fine wine collectors’ cellar.
2010 Promontory Proprietary Red- As Bill Harlan’s latest project, Promontory was born a legend and it was amazing to have experienced the 2010 vintage. When tasted right upon opening, the wine was explosive in aromatics and nearly brooding in texture. Opulence and fresh in flavors with ultra ripe black cherry fruit, molten ganache and sweet cigar and with its compelling, Bordeaux-like texture, this Cabernet blend, at first approach, completely seduces the palate. As moments passed by in the glass, the wine turned to another direction as it became more reserved in aromatics and its previous luscious mouthfeel tightened up showcasing what seams like an indestructible structure, foreshadowing its lifelong lasting potential. What a breathtaking moment it was to experience this beautiful beast in its youth. I look forward to that next moment when I can revisit the wine, if I should again ever be so lucky. And if you are more lucky than I, I highly recommend you grab what you can, if you can, of this monumental wine.
Our dear friend and Master Sommelier Jason Heller gave us a visit last week and tasted us on the newest release from DANA Estates. I was greatly impressed with the 2012’s last year, but the 2013 lineup holds something entirely more magical than ever before! Each and every wine was jaw-dropping in their own way and I am thrilled to share our tiny allocation with our members!
2013 DANA Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- Fleshy, flashy and ready to roll! Incredibly approachable with creme di cassis, Luxardo cherries, chocolate, fresh potting soil, leather, violets, rich vanilla and sweet cream. Luxurious textures with fine tannins that lead into a lengthy finish. While a complete knockout now, I have no doubt the ’13 DANA Helms will continue to blow away your palate many years down the road.
2013 DANA Lotus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- Not as grave as the Hershey, the Lotus holds a masculine backbone with more elegance in aromatics, brighter, more approachable fruit and densely packed baking spice. Rich cigar, sweet tobacco, bitter cacao nibs, black pepper and cedar adds another dimension to the Lotus that the Helms only slightly lacked. This is one to be laid down for decades of enjoyment.
2013 DANA Hershey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- From a single vineyard in the highest slopes of Howell Mountain, the Hershey Vineyard Cabernet was my favorite from the flight! With its youth, it still had some edges, but once the wine hits the tongue, you could taste and feel its grandeur. This is a wine that is not to be missed! The Hershey holds all of my favorite flavors in a well-made Cabernet: crushed rock mineral driven with ripe black berries, black currants and plums, leather, dark chocolate, eucalyptus and mocha, each layer overcoming the other. Fine tannins with a great grip lead into a finish was nearly as powerful as the palate itself. This mere baby was crafted to be a legend.