Vaso
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Opened a few bottles for some friends who are getting in to wine.
My experience with these wines, both the cabs and the SauvBlancs, has been time is needed. Having not been able to give previous bottles the time, I double decanted this one up front, then gave it 3hrs in a decanter before consuming over the next hour or so.
All the difference in the world! This is a perfect combo of the 2013 (big structure) and 2014 (big fruit), while giving lots of freshness. Definitely a bit ripe Bordeaux-esque on the nose with graphite, dusty/chalky dark fruits and mocha. As this opened, the acidity mellowed out and the tannins really softened alongside dark red, blue and black fruits, dark chocolate, roasted plums, dark potpourri and plenty of baking spices. Enjoyable now with a 3+hr decant, but can easily cruise in this window for 7-10yrs.
Opened a few bottles for some friends who are getting in to wine.
My experience with these wines, both the cabs and the SauvBlancs, has been time is needed. Having not been able to give previous bottles the time, I double decanted this one up front, then gave it 3hrs in a decanter before consuming over the next hour or so.
All the difference in the world! This is a perfect combo of the 2013 (big structure) and 2014 (big fruit), while giving lots of freshness. Definitely a bit ripe Bordeaux-esque on the nose with graphite, dusty/chalky dark fruits and mocha. As this opened, the acidity mellowed out and the tannins really softened alongside dark red, blue and black fruits, dark chocolate, roasted plums, dark potpourri and plenty of baking spices. Enjoyable now with a 3+hr decant, but can easily cruise in this window for 7-10yrs.
This cab from DANA is mostly from their Hershey vineyard on Howell Mtn.
I know 2013s are powerful and tightly coiled, and DANA’s style is along those same lines, but I have to admit...this was incredibly coiled and almost unforgiving. I gave this a 4hr decant (which I followed from the beginning), and then another 3hrs out of the bottle later in the evening...and didn’t experience much of an awakening. Fragrant and floral with potpourri, violets, black currant and oak. The front palate here is quite nice in texture with notes of dark fruits, cocoa powder, espresso, extremely dusty with an herbal streak to its core. It’s very Howell Mtn in style. Good acidity and an absolute wall of tannin on the finish. This got marginally better at the end of the evening and revealed a sweeter/baking spice type finish. If opening now, I’d double decant at least 4-6hrs before enjoying.
This cab from DANA is mostly from their Hershey vineyard on Howell Mtn.
I know 2013s are powerful and tightly coiled, and DANA’s style is along those same lines, but I have to admit...this was incredibly coiled and almost unforgiving. I gave this a 4hr decant (which I followed from the beginning), and then another 3hrs out of the bottle later in the evening...and didn’t experience much of an awakening. Fragrant and floral with potpourri, violets, black currant and oak. The front palate here is quite nice in texture with notes of dark fruits, cocoa powder, espresso, extremely dusty with an herbal streak to its core. It’s very Howell Mtn in style. Good acidity and an absolute wall of tannin on the finish. This got marginally better at the end of the evening and revealed a sweeter/baking spice type finish. If opening now, I’d double decant at least 4-6hrs before enjoying.
VASO cellars is essentially Dana Estate’s third label. However, what makes VASO unique is that while it’s a third label, the fruit that is used is the same fruit that goes in to Dana. No young vines or anything like that here. The main difference is the way it is oak aged.
Enjoyed during the WNH virtual tasting with a theme of 2014 Napa cab, chosen by Carl.
Similar to the ‘12 Sauv Blanc I popped, this is also from Dana’s Hershey Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Due to the ‘14 vintage being one that is drinking fairly well now, I assumed this would be close to pop and pour...wrong. Very tightly coiled on day one. Very crunchy and underripe fruits with herbs and baking spice. Re-corked and gave an hour decant on day two and it was immensely better. Sweet toasted oak, violets, charred plum, baked mixed berry pie with some added herbal flair on the nose. More plush on day two but still flexing those powerful mountain tannins. On the palate it is full of rich dark fruits, dark chocolate, mocha, nutmeg, licorice and quite a bit of graphite. It’s dusty, herbal with a good amount of ripe fruit with nice lift. I’d hold for a few more years. @Mike R , these are very nice wines. Thanks buddy!
VASO cellars is essentially Dana Estate’s third label. However, what makes VASO unique is that while it’s a third label, the fruit that is used is the same fruit that goes in to Dana. No young vines or anything like that here. The main difference is the way it is oak aged.
Enjoyed during the WNH virtual tasting with a theme of 2014 Napa cab, chosen by Carl.
Similar to the ‘12 Sauv Blanc I popped, this is also from Dana’s Hershey Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Due to the ‘14 vintage being one that is drinking fairly well now, I assumed this would be close to pop and pour...wrong. Very tightly coiled on day one. Very crunchy and underripe fruits with herbs and baking spice. Re-corked and gave an hour decant on day two and it was immensely better. Sweet toasted oak, violets, charred plum, baked mixed berry pie with some added herbal flair on the nose. More plush on day two but still flexing those powerful mountain tannins. On the palate it is full of rich dark fruits, dark chocolate, mocha, nutmeg, licorice and quite a bit of graphite. It’s dusty, herbal with a good amount of ripe fruit with nice lift. I’d hold for a few more years. @Mike R , these are very nice wines. Thanks buddy!
Lovely gift from our besty. @Mike R - thank you so much!
We love Dana, so tasting this was a treat with our sushi. It has lots of texture, with slight underripe tannins. Campfire notes on the nose and palate, give way to ripe plums, hints of charcoal and cedar. More cellaring will do this no harm. Finishes with moderate sweetness. Very enjoyable.
Lovely gift from our besty. @Mike R - thank you so much!
We love Dana, so tasting this was a treat with our sushi. It has lots of texture, with slight underripe tannins. Campfire notes on the nose and palate, give way to ripe plums, hints of charcoal and cedar. More cellaring will do this no harm. Finishes with moderate sweetness. Very enjoyable.
Soft tannin ripe fruit and lush structure.
Soft tannin ripe fruit and lush structure.
Jan 1st, 2019
Very early for this vintage. Tannins have not yet begun to soften and integrate with the fruit and acid. Development seems later for this vintage than other vintages of VASO at this stage of bottle age. Still a good wine with aging potential. I will not open another for 3 years to see how it is shaping up.
Very early for this vintage. Tannins have not yet begun to soften and integrate with the fruit and acid. Development seems later for this vintage than other vintages of VASO at this stage of bottle age. Still a good wine with aging potential. I will not open another for 3 years to see how it is shaping up.
May 27th, 2022