WINEMAKER NOTES
2011 Dana Estates Lotus Vineyard – Precision Cabernet from Napa's Rugged Hillside
The 2011 Dana Estates Lotus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon offers a fascinating look into a cool-climate vintage interpreted through one of Napa Valley’s most meticulously farmed sites. Perched above St. Helena, the Lotus Vineyard is carved into volcanic bedrock, producing wines of formidable structure and tightly wound energy. Dana Estates, founded by Hi Sang Lee with Philippe Melka as winemaker, has developed a reputation for crafting expressive, age-worthy cult Cabernets from singular Napa terroirs.
Tasting Notes
This 2011 vintage reveals its cool growing season through lifted aromatics of blackcurrant, graphite, and dried lavender. The palate is firm, with savory layers of crushed rock, black tea, and charcoal-tinged blackberry. While brooding in structure, the wine retains a remarkable linearity and freshness, showcasing deft winemaking in a challenging vintage. Tannins are tightly integrated, giving it a long, focused finish that rewards decanting or further cellaring.
Winemaking & Vineyard Details
The Lotus Vineyard sits on volcanic soils, rich in basalt and iron. Vines are managed with intensive precision, allowing for slow ripening and low yields. The wine is composed entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in small tanks with native yeasts and aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak. The 2011 vintage required even more stringent selection, with only the most pristine lots making it into the final blend.
Investment & Collectibility
Dana Estates’ production is extremely limited, and single-vineyard bottlings like Lotus represent some of Napa’s most serious collector offerings. The 2011 vintage, often overlooked due to its climatic challenges, is proving to be a sleeper hit with long-term potential and remarkable transparency. Perfect for your collection if you value refinement over sheer power.
Vintage Insights
2011 was marked by a cooler-than-average growing season and a wet harvest. However, sites like Lotus, with rocky soils and excellent drainage, fared better than valley floor locations. The result is a wine of restraint and mineral complexity—a contrast to the riper vintages that bookend it. It is aging slowly and gracefully.
Explore Related Collections
Shipping Information
Domestic Shipping
We ship wine to eligible U.S. states via UPS or FedEx. Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after the shipping cutoff will be scheduled for the next available shipping day.
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Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles area Monday through Friday for orders placed before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Please contact us to confirm availability and delivery arrangements.
Packaging & Temperature
Wine is packed in protective EPS foam shipping containers, with gel packs used when appropriate. Original Wooden Cases (OWC) are shipped separately to help protect both the wine and the wooden case during transit.
Because wine is temperature-sensitive, we may recommend expedited shipping or holding an order when weather conditions present an elevated risk. Please review our Temperature Protection & Shipping Policy for additional information.
Weather Holds & Storage
During periods of extreme heat or cold, shipments may be delayed until conditions improve. Customers may also request that an order be held for a later shipping date.
Complimentary temperature-controlled storage is available for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the available weather-hold option at checkout or contact us to coordinate a future shipment.
Shipping Protection
Shipping protection for loss or visible damage in transit is included with eligible shipments, subject to applicable terms and carrier requirements. Temperature-related deterioration is not covered.
Please review our Temperature Protection & Shipping Policy for additional details.
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All wine deliveries require an adult signature from a recipient age 21 or older. Please ensure an eligible adult is available to receive the shipment.
Additional carrier charges may apply for failed delivery attempts, address changes, redirection, returned shipments, or reshipment.
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Please verify your shipping address carefully before completing checkout. Additional charges resulting from an incorrect or incomplete address, rerouting, returned shipment, or reshipment are the responsibility of the customer.
International Shipping
International shipping may be available to select destinations and requires review before purchase. Please see our International Shipping Information for eligibility and inquiry details.
Where We Ship
We currently ship wine to the following U.S. states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Shipping laws and carrier availability may change. If your state is not available as a shipping destination at checkout, please contact us to confirm current eligibility.
2011 Dana Estates Lotus Vineyard – Precision Cabernet from Napa's Rugged Hillside
The 2011 Dana Estates Lotus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon offers a fascinating look into a cool-climate vintage interpreted through one of Napa Valley’s most meticulously farmed sites. Perched above St. Helena, the Lotus Vineyard is carved into volcanic bedrock, producing wines of formidable structure and tightly wound energy. Dana Estates, founded by Hi Sang Lee with Philippe Melka as winemaker, has developed a reputation for crafting expressive, age-worthy cult Cabernets from singular Napa terroirs.
Tasting Notes
This 2011 vintage reveals its cool growing season through lifted aromatics of blackcurrant, graphite, and dried lavender. The palate is firm, with savory layers of crushed rock, black tea, and charcoal-tinged blackberry. While brooding in structure, the wine retains a remarkable linearity and freshness, showcasing deft winemaking in a challenging vintage. Tannins are tightly integrated, giving it a long, focused finish that rewards decanting or further cellaring.
Winemaking & Vineyard Details
The Lotus Vineyard sits on volcanic soils, rich in basalt and iron. Vines are managed with intensive precision, allowing for slow ripening and low yields. The wine is composed entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in small tanks with native yeasts and aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak. The 2011 vintage required even more stringent selection, with only the most pristine lots making it into the final blend.
Investment & Collectibility
Dana Estates’ production is extremely limited, and single-vineyard bottlings like Lotus represent some of Napa’s most serious collector offerings. The 2011 vintage, often overlooked due to its climatic challenges, is proving to be a sleeper hit with long-term potential and remarkable transparency. Perfect for your collection if you value refinement over sheer power.
Vintage Insights
2011 was marked by a cooler-than-average growing season and a wet harvest. However, sites like Lotus, with rocky soils and excellent drainage, fared better than valley floor locations. The result is a wine of restraint and mineral complexity—a contrast to the riper vintages that bookend it. It is aging slowly and gracefully.
Explore Related Collections
2011 Dana Estates Lotus Vineyard – Precision Cabernet from Napa's Rugged Hillside
The 2011 Dana Estates Lotus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon offers a fascinating look into a cool-climate vintage interpreted through one of Napa Valley’s most meticulously farmed sites. Perched above St. Helena, the Lotus Vineyard is carved into volcanic bedrock, producing wines of formidable structure and tightly wound energy. Dana Estates, founded by Hi Sang Lee with Philippe Melka as winemaker, has developed a reputation for crafting expressive, age-worthy cult Cabernets from singular Napa terroirs.
Tasting Notes
This 2011 vintage reveals its cool growing season through lifted aromatics of blackcurrant, graphite, and dried lavender. The palate is firm, with savory layers of crushed rock, black tea, and charcoal-tinged blackberry. While brooding in structure, the wine retains a remarkable linearity and freshness, showcasing deft winemaking in a challenging vintage. Tannins are tightly integrated, giving it a long, focused finish that rewards decanting or further cellaring.
Winemaking & Vineyard Details
The Lotus Vineyard sits on volcanic soils, rich in basalt and iron. Vines are managed with intensive precision, allowing for slow ripening and low yields. The wine is composed entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in small tanks with native yeasts and aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak. The 2011 vintage required even more stringent selection, with only the most pristine lots making it into the final blend.
Investment & Collectibility
Dana Estates’ production is extremely limited, and single-vineyard bottlings like Lotus represent some of Napa’s most serious collector offerings. The 2011 vintage, often overlooked due to its climatic challenges, is proving to be a sleeper hit with long-term potential and remarkable transparency. Perfect for your collection if you value refinement over sheer power.
Vintage Insights
2011 was marked by a cooler-than-average growing season and a wet harvest. However, sites like Lotus, with rocky soils and excellent drainage, fared better than valley floor locations. The result is a wine of restraint and mineral complexity—a contrast to the riper vintages that bookend it. It is aging slowly and gracefully.
Explore Related Collections
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