WTN: When the neighbor brings over a $600 bottle

[Jenise]

So we were going to skip wine last night after heavy wine nights Friday and Saturday, but that changed when my extremely generous neighbor popped over the fence to drop off a half bottle of this for us to taste:

2018 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard St. Helena
The neighbor has passed over some fine stuff over the years but this one takes the cake, at least in terms of price ($600). From a vineyard near Howell Mountain so steep it must be hand-farmed, this wine was aged in 100% new FO for 26 months. Black cherries, Godiva chocolate, cassis, violets and tobacco come forward in glorious harmony with an incredibly texture. Tannins are evident but silky. Finish lasts forever. Flawless.

We ended up wandering over to discuss the wine, which led to him opening this (same price):

2018 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard Rutherford
Only recently delivered from two states away so observations should be taken with a grain of salt. Very firm extract, dense body, all black fruit--fantastic potential but very rigid without some form of decantation. Very different from the more approachable, elegant Lotus.

[David M. Bueker]

Wow on many levels.

Never heard of the producer.

Too bad everybody can't have a neighbour like that!

[Jenise]

Production's small and ownership is Chinese/Asian with marketing oriented toward those who don't ask the price of the yacht but consider it an honor to get on the list. The wines are also retailed thru JJ Buckley, and may K&L (if not now then has been the case in the past). My neighbor is good friends with one of the owners.