Dunn Vineyards - Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Lori and Randy Dunn purchased 14 acres on Howell Mountain in 1978, with five acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vines already planted situated at 2,000 feet of elevation, ready to use for the 1979 vintage. Randy was making wine on the valley floor and recalls the distinct quality to the land, “I thought it was pretty and that I could make some good wine.”

After striking a handshake deal with the owner of a neighboring parcel, one wine was produced in Dunn’s first year—660 9-liter cases of 1979 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, which were sold via newsletter in 1981 detailing the familial origins and struggles of the project.

In 1982, Dunn Vineyards' Napa Valley Cabernet was introduced as an additional bottling, encapsulating the plush, fruit-driven characteristics of Napa Valley’s floor in contrast to the tannin-laced, mineral Howell Mountain wine. Both wines have always been made in an identical manner. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 32 months in new French oak.

The 2021 Napa Valley is exceptionally complex and captivating, a result of combining fruit from Oak Knoll and Yountville on the valley floor with our younger vines and more approachable blocks on Howell Mountain. A spectrum of dark fruits, from plum to black cherry to black currant, is intertwined with red earth and spice. Full on the palate while maintaining freshness, the 2021 Napa possesses a satisfying plushness, lending to its earlier approachability without sacrificing its longevity in the cellar. It is the wine you will look forward to drinking while waiting for the perfect moment to uncork our other two offerings.

"The wine presents a deep ruby colour with a magenta rim. They produce just under 3,000 cases of this Napa Valley-designated Cabernet Sauvignon, constituting about 60% of their total production. The blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Cabernet Franc aged in 72% new French oak barrels for up to 32 months. This young, restrained wine exudes both power and elegance. Aromas of spicy cedarwood dominate, supported by a vibrant core of crunchy red berries, firm, taut tannins, and delicate floral hints of red rose petals. There's an enticing confected note weaving through the cedarwood character. Overall, this is a wine built to age and tasted with Mike Dunn, who said that the wine was opened a couple of hours before tasting and double-decanted. I’d recommend holding off until at least 2028 before popping corks. The fruit sources are 45% Oak Knoll, 37% Howell Mountain, and 12% Napa Valley, with 6% coming from Yountville AVAs." - 95 Points, Decanter

"Bright and perfumed aromas of blackcurrants, blueberry bush, pencil shavings and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied with seamlessly integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of red currants, mocha and tobacco leaves. Very refined and pure, with a touch of class. It will age gracefully." - 95 Points, James Suckling

"Dunn’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) hits the palate with waves of inky dark fruit, mocha, leather and spice. This is an especially overt style for Dunn. Then again, the Napa Valley Cabernet is designed to offer more early approachability than the top wines here. All this needs is a bit of time in bottle for the French oak to integrate further. Readers will find a dense, almost shockingly rich wine from Randy and Mike Dunn. Hints of graphite, sage, menthol and licorice kick on the long, beautifully persistent finish. A dollop of Cabernet Franc adds aromatic presence, something Randy Dunn quietly did in this wine in the past. The Napa Valley Cabernet is mostly from the estate, with a bit of purchased fruit from sites in Yountville and Oakville." - 93 Points, Antonio Galloni Vinous

Producer: Dunn Vineyards

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Napa Valley 
 
Vintage: 2021
 
Size: 750ml