97 Points James Suckling - 2014 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Onda, Napa Valley One of the most serious Ondas I have had. Medium to full body and firm and polished tannins. Very long and poised. Excellent length. Fabulous focus and beauty. This needs two or three years to soften, but it's already superb. Try in 2022.
93 Points Robert Parker - 2014 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Onda, Napa Valley Wine Advocate #227 (Oct. 2016) Drink 2016-2031 Rating: 93 Their blended wine, Onda, comes from all of their vineyard sites, and is essentially a second wine culled from the singlevineyards. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Onda, which sees 19 months in about 54% new French oak, has turned out much more compelling than I thought last year. Loads of blueberry and blackberry fruit with a hint of creosote, wood spice and camphor are offered in this deep, medium to full-bodied, layered and voluptuously textured wine. It is pure, sexy and ideal for drinking over the next 15+ years.
94 Points Antonio Galloni Vinous - The 2014 Onda, from Dana's Crystal Springs vineyard, is a very beautiful wine. Bright red stone fruit and lifted, floral aromatics are the two main signatures. At the same time, the 2014 has plenty of depth. Chocolate, raspberry jam, mint and rose petal notes infuse the deep, fleshy finish. This is a striking, modern Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon endowed with real class and pedigree. This is a very serious second wine, if it can be called that.
Vintage Notes: The 2014 vintage marks the third year of drought conditions in Napa with winter rainfall at half of normal. All the winter rains came in February and March, providing relief from the minimal rains of 2013 and recharging the soils just before the vines came out of their dormant period. Warm weather caused the vines to emerge from dormancy early, with bud break in late March. The summer weather was mild with few heat spikes above 100°F and warm nights. This translated to grapes that retained tannins because of the mild daytime temperatures, but lower than average acid levels due to the warmer nights. The early bud break and even summer weather aligned for an early and bountiful harvest. We saw our largest crop to date. Berry size was similar to 2012, but we saw more berries per cluster. As a result, our 2014 wines are structured, yet approachable, with lower acidity than the 2013 vintage. The fruit quality was excellent, producing wines with intensity, alluring aromatics, and classic fruit character.
Harvest and Aging: Our Crystal Springs vineyard is typically the backbone of this blend. It was harvested over 4 days in early September. Lotus was picked next on September 23rd follow the next day by our earliest block at Hershey. Helms followed on October 10th and 11th. The final pick at Hershey occurred on October 14th . The blend was fermented in almost equal parts upright oak and concrete tanks. The remaining 10% was fermented in 225L French oak barrels. The wines were pressed directly to barrel, and malolactic was native.
Tasting Notes: Fresh blackberries and raspberries, layered with dark chocolate, and baking spice. The palate opens with rich warm fruit notes that are interwoven with precise tannins. Sourced primarily from hillside vineyards the wine is structured and full bodied, but with an elegant balance of tannin and a creamy density. Flavors of ripe black cherries, chocolate, espresso. Hints of minerality and nutmeg spice emerge on a long lingering finish. While inviting now, this wine will grow in complexity as flavors marry with time. Enjoy now through 2026 and beyond.
- Appellation:
- 64% Crystal Springs Vineyard, 27% Hershey Vineyard, 6% Lotus Vineyard, 3% Helms Vineyard
- Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Ageing: 19 months in 54% new French oak
- Barrel Coopers: Taransaud, Demptos, Ermitage, Baron, Darnajou, Artisan
- Forests: Allier, Center of France, Troncais, & Vosge
- Alcohol: 15.2%
- Titratable Acidity: 5.6 g/l
- pH: 3.83
- Bottling Date: May 31, 2016
- Production: 1161 cases
