2019 VASO Cellars by Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

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

But while most collectors know 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, and when our Chief Wine Officer, Vanessa Conlin MW, worked at Dana, she NEVER had trouble finding a reason to revel in this wine. It’s nearly impossible to find outside of Napa Valley, and it boasts more quality than just about any two-digit-priced Cabernet anywhere in the world.

The Wine Access members who have tried VASO agree: The last three vintages racked up an excellent 4.3-out-of-5-star rating, which puts VASO alongside wines like Insignia, O’Shaughnessy, and Riverain. One fan summed it up best: “What more do you need? Excellent vineyard sources and Philippe Melka working his mastery.”

2019 was a fine year in Napa. Wine Spectator awarded it 97 points, saying it was full of “wines [that] are ripe and lush yet well-defined,” which describes 2019 VASO to a T. Comprising 95% Cabernet with a little Merlot, Malbec, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot, it was aged for 24 months in 15% new, 100% French oak, then another year-plus in bottle.

VASO’s 2019 exceeds the amount of pleasure we’ve come to expect from them—and that’s saying something. 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.