2018 VASO Cellars by Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Dalla Valle, Bond: The list of truly iconic Napa Valley names is short and sweet, and it includes Dana Estates, a winery that commands as much respect as any in the Valley.

But while every collector we’ve run across knows Dana Estates, far fewer know VASO.

That’s because Dana’s VASO bottling was never meant to be sold. Initially, it was reserved for friends and family of the winery. It simply boasts more quality than just about any two-digit-priced Cabernet made anywhere in the world.

The Wine Access members who have tried VASO agree. They gave the 2016 vintage 4.46 out of 5 stars, a staggering rating that puts it alongside wines like Insignia, O’Shaughnessy, and Riverain. One fan summed it up as well as anyone could: “What more do you need? Excellent vineyard sources and Philipe Melka working his mastery.”

As you probably know, 2018 was an exceptional vintage in Napa. Wine Spectator doesn’t think there’s ever been a better one, awarding it 99 points, and that season of exceptional quality AND generous quantity produced a phenomenal edition of VASO. Comprising 90% Cabernet with a little Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, it was raised on the same sites that produce Dana’s collectors-item Cabernets—primarily Howell Mountain’s Hershey Vineyard, plus Lotus and Helms. After aging for 22 months in 100% French oak and now a couple more years in bottle, it exceeds the amount of pleasure that we’ve come to expect from VASO—and that’s just about unlimited.

This is one of the wines we always have ready to open at the slightest hint of an occasion, or just to make a normal weeknight feel special.