Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

Food pairings: Grilled ribeye or New York strip, braised short ribs, roast lamb, Korean barbecue and aged cheeses.

Scores:

• 96 points, James Suckling

Winemaking: The grapes were hand harvested and sorted before destemming, then sorted again berry by berry, optically and by hand, before the tanks were filled by gravity. A range of vessels was used, including oak uprights, concrete and stainless steel tanks as well as single-barrel fermentations, all with natural yeasts. The free-run wine was drained straight to barrel for native malolactic fermentation and aging until blending in early spring, then left to age undisturbed until bottling.

Vineyards and terroir: VASO brings together grapes from sustainably farmed Napa Valley vineyards that prioritize organic, biodynamic and fish-friendly practices. The dry, cold 2021 winter brought only a quarter of normal rainfall, limiting vine growth and setting a small crop; near-perfect summer weather and cool nights then gave a steady, early harvest from the first week of September to the first week of October, with small berries, bright acidity and great intensity of flavor.

Family and history: The Dana Estates property, at the northern edge of Rutherford at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, was founded in 1883 by German viticulturist H.W. Helms; during Prohibition the winery fell into ruin and became one of Napa Valley's ghost wineries. Korean businessman Hi Sang Lee bought it in 2005, naming it after his childhood nickname "Dana", Sanskrit for the spirit of generosity, and architect Howard Backen designed the winery and caves while preserving the 1883 ghost winery. VASO, meaning "vessel" in Spanish and Italian, is the estate's more approachable Napa Valley Cabernet.