Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Appellation: Napa Valley Region: California Country: United States

The name Dana is Sanskrit, translating to “the Spirit of Generosity” and ties in to the “generosity” that nature gives each year with its production. In addition, each bottle of Dana Estates contains 12 lotus flowers, each representing the 12 months of the calendar year. Lotus flowers signify rebirth and symbolize the rebirth that the vineyards experience every year. Phillip Melka winemaker extraordinaire has crafted a truly extraordinary single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that appeals to serious wine enthusiasts and collectors. Only 300 cases produced.

Vinous - 97 Points

"Graphite, crushed rocks, smoke, melted road tar, black fruit and incense explode from the glass in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard. A huge, structured wine, the 2011 boasts stunning depth, power and richness. The intense salinity of the vintage and the trademark Dana intensity of fruit meld together in a Cabernet of true distinction. What a gorgeous wine this is. This is the first vintage to incorporate more than the original first acre of plantings. The first vintages were pure clone 1 Cabernet, while subsequent vintages include See clone fruit as well. The 2011 was fermented in barrel and spent 21 months in oak, 100% new." (November 2013)

James Suckling - 97 Points

"Amazing aromas of blackberries, blueberries, mushrooms and violets. Full body with a dense, precise palate and a firm, intense finish. Masculine but formed and polished. This needs at least four or five years to come even more together. " (May 2014)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 93 Points

"Red-ruby color, the darkest of these 2011s. Dark berries, coffee and licorice on the nose, with a sexy animal character adding interest. Less sweet than the Lotus but with noteworthy finesse of texture to the flavors of blue fruits, menthol and dark spices. Very pure and laid-back today, finishing with sneaky length. The tannins seem much more successfully integrated with the wine's fruit than they appeared to be in barrel a year ago. Winemaker Cameron Vawter noted that the 2011s were racked only after the malolactic fermentations and again for the blending." (May 2014)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 90-92 Points

"Graphite, crushed rocks, smoke, melted road tar, black fruit and incense explode from the glass in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard. A huge, structured wine, the 2011 boasts stunning depth, power and richness. The intense salinity of the vintage and the trademark Dana intensity of fruit meld together in a Cabernet of true distinction. What a gorgeous wine this is. This is the first vintage to incorporate more than the original first acre of plantings. The first vintages were pure clone 1 Cabernet, while subsequent vintages include See clone fruit as well. The 2011 was fermented in barrel and spent 21 months in oak, 100% new." (October 2013)

Wine Spectator - 90 Points

"A rich, powerful expression of dense loamy earth, tobacco, black licorice, mineral and dark berry flavors. This never lets up, framed by persistent, gutsy tannins. Drink now through 2022." (November 2014)