Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

9.374 ratings
9.320 pro ratings
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Follow up to the Clos Fourtet and to close out the Allen Brothers Ribcap.

The nose reveals, dark, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries strawberries, black raspberries, black cherries, dry cranberries & blueberries. Steeped fruit tea, anise to black licorice, dark, fruit liqueur, dry crushed rocks, dry herbs, dry twigs, cinnamon, light nutmeg, clove and vanilla, leather, cedar, graphite, dry tobacco to cigar ash, dark spice, sweet tarriness, eucalyptus with candied mixed in with withering, dark florals & red, blue, purple flowers that are set in lavender.

The palate is, rich, ruby and round. The mouthfeel is glorious. This is a perfect window for a first bottle of the 08 Dunn Howell Mountain. The dusty tannins are round and about 50% resolved. This 04 has another 15-20 years of good drinking ahead of it...properly stored of course. Dark, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries strawberries, black raspberries, black cherries, dry cranberries & blueberries. Steeped fruit tea, anise to black licorice, dark, fruit liqueur, dry crushed rocks, slightly, moist clay, dry herbs-sage, dry twigs, cinnamon, light nutmeg, clove and vanilla, lots of dark melted chocolate, mocha powder, leather, cedar, graphite, dry tobacco to cigar ash, dark spice, sweet tarriness, dry, dark earth, limestone minerals, slightly, moist clay, volcanics, eucalyptus with florals that are candied mixed in with withering. They are dark, red, purple, blue & violets that are set in lavender. The acidity is round and near perfection...Colorado rushing river like. The long, well knitted, balanced, elegant finish lasts minutes.

Just misses 95. It will be there in another 5-7 years and could stretch to 96 at its peak.

The advantage Howell Mountain has is it sits above the fog line (more sunlight hours) and benefits from cool nights giving it slightly longer vine fruit ripening & better acidity.

Photos of; the legend, Owner-Winemaker Randy Dunn, an aerial view of his Howell Mountain Vineyard, barrel room and landing pad to process fruit for fermentation.

Follow up to the Clos Fourtet and to close out the Allen Brothers Ribcap.

The nose reveals, dark, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries strawberries, black raspberries, black cherries, dry cranberries & blueberries. Steeped fruit tea, anise to black licorice, dark, fruit liqueur, dry crushed rocks, dry herbs, dry twigs, cinnamon, light nutmeg, clove and vanilla, leather, cedar, graphite, dry tobacco to cigar ash, dark spice, sweet tarriness, eucalyptus with candied mixed in with withering, dark florals & red, blue, purple flowers that are set in lavender.

The palate is, rich, ruby and round. The mouthfeel is glorious. This is a perfect window for a first bottle of the 08 Dunn Howell Mountain. The dusty tannins are round and about 50% resolved. This 04 has another 15-20 years of good drinking ahead of it...properly stored of course. Dark, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries strawberries, black raspberries, black cherries, dry cranberries & blueberries. Steeped fruit tea, anise to black licorice, dark, fruit liqueur, dry crushed rocks, slightly, moist clay, dry herbs-sage, dry twigs, cinnamon, light nutmeg, clove and vanilla, lots of dark melted chocolate, mocha powder, leather, cedar, graphite, dry tobacco to cigar ash, dark spice, sweet tarriness, dry, dark earth, limestone minerals, slightly, moist clay, volcanics, eucalyptus with florals that are candied mixed in with withering. They are dark, red, purple, blue & violets that are set in lavender. The acidity is round and near perfection...Colorado rushing river like. The long, well knitted, balanced, elegant finish lasts minutes.

Just misses 95. It will be there in another 5-7 years and could stretch to 96 at its peak.

The advantage Howell Mountain has is it sits above the fog line (more sunlight hours) and benefits from cool nights giving it slightly longer vine fruit ripening & better acidity.

Photos of; the legend, Owner-Winemaker Randy Dunn, an aerial view of his Howell Mountain Vineyard, barrel room and landing pad to process fruit for fermentation.

Aug 23rd, 2020
Carson Gray

Sommelier, Director of Adult Beverage & Restaurant Development @ HMSHost

9.4

Out of magnum

Out of magnum

Dec 27th, 2017
Ian Burrows

Sommelier Atelier Crenn

9.2

Youngster. Expectations met. Only regret, one left, and we feel like it's an estimated 15+ years from maturity.... Eeeeek...

Youngster. Expectations met. Only regret, one left, and we feel like it's an estimated 15+ years from maturity.... Eeeeek...

2 people found it helpfulJun 26th, 2016
Ashley Jorgenson

At jim and chalets for Jims bday. Jay loves

At jim and chalets for Jims bday. Jay loves

1 person found it helpfulDec 7th, 2014
Mitzi Inglis

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.3

So good, and another NAHBS16 winner. #dunnvineyards

So good, and another NAHBS16 winner. #dunnvineyards

Mar 2nd, 2016
John Skupny - Lang & Reed Wine Company

Svelte - powerful classic Howell mountain cab aromas and exotic bouquet. Tannins soft and barely a trace of corruption.

Svelte - powerful classic Howell mountain cab aromas and exotic bouquet. Tannins soft and barely a trace of corruption.

Jan 13th, 2016
Mitzi Inglis

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.3

Pretty spectacular right now. #dunnvineyards

Pretty spectacular right now. #dunnvineyards

Apr 13th, 2015
Matthew Nagy

Just starting to come into its own and open up...

Just starting to come into its own and open up...

Mar 28th, 2015
Cyrus Hazzard

Concierge Wine Sales Total Wine & More

9.2

Out of magnum. Little heat taint here, probably not stored great. Still good wine hit its peak at about 30 minutes of the decanter well-integrated oak definitely can tell it's mountain fruit hard to say what it be like if it was a clean bottle.

Out of magnum. Little heat taint here, probably not stored great. Still good wine hit its peak at about 30 minutes of the decanter well-integrated oak definitely can tell it's mountain fruit hard to say what it be like if it was a clean bottle.

Dec 13th, 2014
Mitzi Inglis

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.2

Post Thanksgiving deliciousness #dunnvineyards

Post Thanksgiving deliciousness #dunnvineyards

Nov 29th, 2014