2017 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard Napa Valley

JS99 Perfect aromas of crushed berries, cedar, roses and blackberries. Touch of rose leaf. Medium body, very fine tannins and nuanced flavors. Lovely, complex finish. Wonderful elegance and length. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.
WA97: Helms vineyard consists of five acres on gravelly loam, right on the northern edge of the Rutherford bench, planted in 1997 and 1998. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color and slips seductively out of the glass with compelling scents of blackberry pie, baked black cherries and warm cassis with hints of raspberry leaves, tilled black loam, truffles and tar. The full-bodied palate is satisfyingly rich and plush, yet it has a fantastic backbone of freshness lifting all the opulent fruit to a long, lively, mineral-tinged finish. 254 cases were made. Drink Date 2022 – 2045
VIN96+ A regal, soaring wine, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is all finesse. Dried cherry, cinnamon, star anise and blood orange add an exotic flair that adds to the wine’s beguiling personality. In 2017, the Helms is a bit understated and medium in body, with less of the breadth of the very best years. Even so, it is a gorgeous Cabernet full of allure and potential. I won’t be surprised if it is even more compelling in another few years’ time.Estate Notes: The 2017 Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits rich dark fruit, vibrant acidity, and an expansive finish. Aromas of black cherries, plums and kola nut mingle with hints of graphite, dark chocolate, and warm spice. This version of Helms is a bit more structured than the last few vintages with dense, dark fruit balanced by fresh acidity. It captures the vintage while still showing off classic Helms character with hints of violets, plums and bittersweet chocolate on the finish. While delicious now, the wine will gracefully build in complexity as the it ages. 00% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ageing:21 months in 100% new French Oak. 254 cases produced.