Dana Estates Vaso Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 (750ml)

 

Rated 95 Points by Jeb Dunnuck

 

There are roughly 6,000 cases of the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Vaso, a more forward, plush, sexy wine that's already drinking brilliantly.  Loaded with red and black fruits as well as leafy herbs, violets, and tobacco notes, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, juicy mouthfeel, and a great finish.  It's a hidden gem of a wine that readers should buy.  It will keep for at least 10-12 years.

 

Rated 92 Points by Vinous

 

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Vaso is plump, juicy and immediate, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the near to medium term.  Super-ripe dark cherry, black plum, chocolate, spice and sweet French oak are all dialed up.  This heady, flamboyant Cabernet Sauvignon is a real head-turner.  The aromatics suggest the 2019 is best enjoyed over the near and medium term.

 

Vaso by Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Napa Valley 2019

 

The 2019 Vaso Cabernet Sauvignon represents the warmer season with a plush, inviting entry expressing flavors of blackberry compote, spiced plum, and a long savory finish.  The well-integrated, round tannins and low oak impact highlight the silky mouthfeel and vibrancy of the fruit.  On the palate the wine opens with toasty almonds, baked strawberries, leading to savory herbs, and a creamy milk chocolate finish.  This vintage presented rich, elegant wines with broad tannins and silky a mouthfeel.  This approachable wine is beautiful now and will age gracefully as time passes.

 

Appellation:  Napa Valley

 

Blend:  95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, 1% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

 

Élevage:  4 months in 15% new French oak

 

Alcohol:  15.3%

 

Bottling Date:  November 16th, 2020

 

Vintage 2019

 

The 2019 growing season started off with ample rainfall through the early spring, followed by one of the wettest May’s on record.  The much-needed hydration resulted in full canopies and softer acidity in finished wines.  The cooler weather through mid-summer slowed shoot growth and delayed veraison by a few weeks.  In mid-August the season heated up with 90+ degree temperatures that continued through the end of September.  Ideal weather conditions in October allowed the fruit to ripen to optimal maturity without the threat of rain or heat spikes.  The 2019 wines reflect the vintage with opulent fruit, full body, and a broad textured finish.

 

Harvest

 

Harvest began on September 30th in our western facing Crystal Springs Vineyard.  The next week we continued harvest at Lotus Vineyard, just north of Crystal Springs.  The core of our Vaso blend comes from our highest and coolest vineyard, Hershey Vineyard sitting atop Howell Mountain.  Harvest of Malbec and Merlot started at Hershey on October 9th, and the remainder of the Cabernet being picked mid to late October.  Valley floor fruit, including fruit from our Rutherford Helms Vineyard, had the most diverse ripening, being picked starting October 8th to the conclusion of harvest on October 24th.

 

Method

 

Our philosophy of minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery has resulted in a slow progression to dry farming.  This forces the vines to look deeper for water, but also for nutrients and minerals.  The results are balanced vines that produce small, intensely flavored berries with thick dark skins.  We used various fermentation vessels to harness the complexity of our sites including oak upright tanks, single barrel fermentations, and concrete tanks.  After undergoing fermentation, the free run juice is drained directly off skins to barrel for native malolactic fermentation and aging, not being touched again until blending in early Spring.

 

 

Vaso

 

A graceful union in every aspect

 

Purity and Harmony

 

The Moon Jar

 

A Korean moon jar (dal-hang-ari) glows from the center of the lotus on the Vaso wine label.  These revered porcelain vases symbolize purity, and the hope of a harmonious union between land and sky.  A moon jar is crafted as two distinct hemispheres, which the artist then joins into a seamless, singular whole.

 

We believe that fine wine, like a moon jar, is made through the graceful union of land and sky.  With purity and harmony as our goal, our minimalist winemaking philosophy blends sustainable farming and inspired craftsmanship to create a true work of art:  Vaso.

 

Sustainable & Meticulous

 

Our Farming Methods

 

Purity and harmony begin in the vineyard.  All of the vineyard sources for Vaso wines are farmed sustainably to protect our natural environment, and nurture the highest quality fruit.  These methods require intense attention to detail, and often result in tending vineyards vine by vine — ensuring every individual plant has everything it needs to thrive.

 

The fruit from these vines offers a rare and vibrant purity, with every element in perfect harmony.

 

Natural Vitality and Balance

 

Our Winemaking

 

Vaso Winemaker Maura Johnson is a UC Davis Viticuluture and Enology graduate who honed her craft in Germany, New Zealand, Australia and Napa Valley before joining our sister winery Dana Estates in 2018.  She and her cellar team find fresh creativity with the Vaso portfolio, exploring new frontiers of sourcing and blending to create new works of art.

 

Vaso wines are defined by their vitality and poise.  We limit new oak in our winemaking, and minimize intervention as much as possible in order to highlight the unique vibrancy and character of our grapes.  Through careful selection and blending, we ensure every Vaso wine achieves a transcendence balance: bright and pure at release, but with the structure and energy to age gracefully for many years to come.