October 15, 2023 - Decanted off 1-2oz settled sediment. Deep ruby, somewhat less bricking than expected at 30 years old; black fruited, some dusty spices, slight capsicum; palate is well balanced with medium-plus alcohol, well integrated tannin, medium-plus refreshing acidity, fully mature with faded black fruits; medium length finish. A nice Dunn, but slightly weaker than the other vintages. Ready now. 92
September 11, 2023 - Cork was malleable but in relatively good shape. Sad to say, this bottle left me with the same impression as my last two. I think (hope) that means just a bad lot.
Color shows little, if any, sign of age. Nose is lovely -- red fruited and dusty with some menthol. On the palate... a void. Just some slight minerality. No fruit, nothing secondary or tertiary to note.
I tasted this after opening, after several hours in a decanter, and 24 hours later. No change. What a bummer, and just holding out hope that the remaining bottles show better.
July 1, 2023 - From Magnum. 2 hour decant with less than a teaspoon of sediment. In this format, the wine still needed an additional 3 hours of air before it fully came around. Also massive, and my last 750ml of this wine showed better. Nonetheless, all the earmarkings of a great wine and one of the best from Napa for this vintage. Loads of very ripe black and red fruits, tannins still a bit thick but also rounded and pliable. Touches of brett that were perfectly enjoyable, with some eucalyptus, sweet Oak and cassis.
June 23, 2023 - Drank side by side with 1993 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select. Cork fell apart but no problem with the wine. Not the first Dunn cork that disintegrated. This wine is the essence of Howell Mountain Cabernet. Dark ruby red, no hint of the 30-year age. Dark red and blue fruit, dark chocolate, maybe lilac and touch of earth. The palate is structured balanced with the fruit, acid and tannin matching well producing seamless intensity. Love the low alcohol! Many years left but how much better will it get?
April 16, 2023 - Recently purchased a lot of 6 bottles of this wine. One bottle in the lot had some signs of seepage/a slightly different ullage, so I figured I would open that bottle first.
After hacking through the wax, it became evident that the wine had a cork issue - the top of the cork had seen some wine. On opening, the wine smelled fine, and the color looked remarkably young.
Then, the palate -- just a void. No fruit, nothing tertiary. Just something vaguely mineral. Never had this happen with a bottle before.
I opened a second bottle with a more promising looking closure; more pronounced nose, but still nothing on the palate. Bizarre.
April 16, 2023 - Open that bottle - Dan chooses 1994 Harlan (My house): Decanted and drank about 1/3rd of the bottle over 2 hours. The only issue with this wine was that it was served next to a 1994 Harlan. But that was kind of the point. This was less-friendly from a fruit perspective, a bit austere. Still, very classy and also funky, with a lot of brambly earth, leather and plum.
April 13, 2023 - Open THAT Bottle - Special Edition (Joe's Bistro): I love Dunn....not sure why I don't own more....oh yeah, because they need a ton of time and I am impatient! I do love whenever someone opens up an old one though! I think that Howell Mountain fruit holds up so well! This wine is in a very good place where there is a nice balance between fruit and tertiary flavors....squarely in my wheelhouse!
Nose shows lots of earth, dark fruit, lilac and cedar notes. Palate is compelling with plenty of earth, dark fruit, tobacco and leather, with some red fruit, spice and birch on the finish. A delightful wine that paired quite well with grilled hanger steak! 94+ easily!
November 27, 2022 - Rich, some tannin, a very nice wine in the Bordo/Cab tasting
November 6, 2022 - Still there. And round. And ready. Very acidity notes many tasters.
November 26, 2021 - Classic Dunn HM. At 28 years of age, it still is a vibrant, evolving wine. Beautifully balanced and lush, the tannins have softened considerably and are now sweet and very well-integrated. The usual notes of pencil lead, cedar, cigar box, cassis and saddle leather. A hint of spice (licorice) and that distinctive Howell Mountain bramble. The finish is long and satisfying with more leather and minerals that lasts for a good 60 sec+
Not a mind-blowing Dunn, but very typical of the style.