2009 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
Bright, saturated red-ruby. Very youthful, Pauillac-like aromas of cassis, blueberry, minerals, bitter chocolate and tobacco leaf. Densely packed and seamless but youthfully imploded, conveying a strong impression of saline minerality to its flavors of plum, dark berries, mocha and graphite. There's a sexy pliancy here but owing to its medicinal and mineral elements this big wine practically tastes like a barrel sample. Wonderfully thick, plush and dry, finishing with substantial but thoroughly buffered tannins and outstanding slow-building length and captivating sweetness. (13.9% alcohol)
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright ruby-red. Musky black raspberry, mocha, cola, leather and game on the rather wild nose and palate, perked up by a peppery note. Nicely concentrated, juicy and supple, with plenty of early sex appeal, especially for the leather crowd. Finishes with substantial dusty, sweet tannins and very good subtle persistence.
Dunn's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is loaded with blue and black fruit, grilled herbs, asphalt, melted road tar and smoke. A dark, juicy wine, the 2009 is surprisingly open for a young Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon. In this vintage, Dunn's Lake Vineyard, the last parcel on the property to ripen, accounts for nearly 50% of the blend.
Dunn's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is loaded with blue and black fruit, grilled herbs, asphalt, melted road tar and smoke. A dark, juicy wine, the 2009 is surprisingly open for a young Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon. In this vintage, Dunn's Lake Vineyard, the last parcel on the property to ripen, accounts for nearly 50% of the blend. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. Randy Dunn's two 2009s are quite different from each other in this vintage, something that isn't always the case. That's good news for Dunn fans, as the 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the estate's few recent releases that won't take ages to be accessible. The Howell Mountain Cabernet is classic Dunn, with maybe just a little more polish than some other recent vintages. As always, the Dunn Cabernets stand apart from the vast majority of wines being made in Napa Valley for their huge, tannic structures and aging potential, something that is especially true for the flagship Howell Mountain bottling. Tel. (707) 965-3642