Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017

The winemaking at Dunn Vineyards is what one would expect, traditional and simplistic.  There are two Cabernet Sauvignons produced, one from the Howell Mountain vineyards (red wax capsule) and a Napa Valley bottling that blends fruit from Howell Mountain and Coombsville.  Both wines are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 32 months in French oak. Although a good dose of new oak is used, they have evolved into using lower-impact wood that is more about creating a clean vehicle for aging the wine rather than adding big oaky flavors.

The Dunn wines have an amazing track record for aging. In general, the Napa bottling can drink well on release, but will really start strutting its stuff after 3-4 years, and age gracefully for 15-20 years easily in most vintages. The Howell Mountain bottling, conversely, is often more tightly wound in its youth. While drinkable with the right foods, it loves 5-7 years to start hitting its stride, and in the best vintages should be able to age 30-40+ years. In fact, most of the early Howell Mountain Cab vintages are still going strong, and some of these wines are considered some of the greatest Cabs ever produced in Napa Valley! The stuff of legends…