Benchmark Wine Cellar
Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2008
The Winery
Dunn Vineyards
Randy Dunn purchased the initial land for Dunn Vineyards in 1979 with optimistic hopes of crafting fine wines from Howell Mountain. His hopes were surpassed as Dunn Vineyards is looked to as an example of terroir driven wines for the entire Napa Valley. Dunn takes great pride in his mountain fruit and tries to keep the alcohol of his wines close 13% asserting this lower level allows the flavors of the land to come through. Their small hillside vineyards dotting Howell Mountain are balanced with the natural vegetation and vineyards. This family run operation owns a total of 200 acres with 35 planted of predominately Cabernet Sauvignon and produces about 5000 cases annually.
Each vintage possesses a remarkable balance of fruit and tannins that enables each wine to be laid down for 15 years or more. These wines are tough to get a hold of because the winery is not listed on any of the Napa tourist maps and is closed to the public, so Benchmark Wine Group is extremely thrilled to offer you such a vast selection!
Summary
The Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2008 is a distinguished wine from a challenging vintage marked by reduced yields due to frost and wildfire. Sourced from the volcanic slopes of Howell Mountain, this wine is known for its powerful structure and remarkable longevity, typically crafted from 100% Cabernet and aged for about 30 months in French oak. The 2008 vintage offers a rich tapestry of dark fruit flavors, complemented by notes of licorice, tar, and subtle earthiness. It presents a firm tannin structure, indicative of its potential for aging, while also inviting early enjoyment as it evolves. This wine exemplifies the bold and robust character typical of the region.
Tasting Notes
- WA98+
- The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain takes things to another level, as hard as it may seem to believe. This was another difficult vintage for Dunn. Yields were down a full 50%. In exchange, nature rewarded Dunn with the fruit to make an epic wine that could very well turn out to be a modern-day legend. The 2008 is a huge, towering wine packed with dark fruit, licorice, tar, asphalt and licorice. Layers of perfume are woven throughout this majestic effort. The 2008 should only be purchased by the very patient, but it is a legendary wine in the making. Anticipated maturity: 2028-2043.
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