Opened (broke the wax with corkscrew and then used an Ah-So as the cork crumbled a bit). Decanted about 3/4 of the bottle. Tasted upon opening and then about 1 hour later. Initial bouquet is a bit of cheese, leather and dried leaves along with dark fruit and a nice level of acidity. Opened up with time in the decanter but showed its age. Tertiary notes of leather and leaves and old books but still showing, underneath, dark fruit. The acidity keeps it fresh. Tasted the following day. Wine was holding up and retained its freshness - just showing more tertiary flavors than fruit. 14.5% abv. Red wax capsule. This wine showed its age; it had been kept in good conditions (temperature managed). Just not that exciting. I expected more from this wine - solid producer from a good year.
Popped and poured. Bought at auction. Slightly concerned because there was a bit of seepage from a tiny hole in the wax capsule. Actually seems to have turned out ok. Nose of raspberry, blackberry jam, smoke, cherry coke. Tart acidity. Tannins very noticeable initially but retreated after about 10min in glass. Also a bit thin initially but filled out and got a nice medium body over 15-30min. Will see how it continues to evolve. (Later update) The wine continued to fatten up and improve over 4 hours. As others have commented helpfully, a decant would have been a good idea. Ah well lesson learned for the remaining bottles. Also by the last glass I would have bumped up my score to a 93 from earlier 91.
Way past prime. Lots of barnyard funk but not enough fruit left to satisfy me. My first experience with aged dunn. I fear I waited to long to drink. Unlike ridge monte bello, which hits its stride 20 years in.
Purchased from the winery. Double-decanted and drank over five hours. Color hardly showed any age, definitely no browning at the rim. Some high-toned floral notes and crunchy dark red fruits on the palate. Surprising that this bottle presented few secondary aromas and flavors. Still a good balance of fruit and softening tannins. No rush to drink this wine, my guess is that it has 5-10+ years at this level of enjoyment.
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A lost Friday afternoon gathering – CDPs, Chave, Schrader and etc. (Q by Peter Chang - Bethesda, Maryland): Classic old school Dunn nose displaying dusty black fruit, blackberry crème de cassis, noticeable green, cabernet floral dust, leather, lead pencil, dark spices and crushed rocks. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of slightly green but ripe black fruit, good freshness and balance, bright acidity and earthy mineral, and a long ripe black fruit driven finish with a hint of green and cedar at the end. This is a classic Dunn that is drinking very well.
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Amazing wine. Drinking so well with huge depth of flavor. This is what I love from Dunn. Gunmetal, cedar, wet stone, blue/black fruit. M- acidity, M- tannins. All integrated into a long and lingering finish.
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Une belle semaine munichoise: Des années que je voulais goûter ce mythe, voilà qui est fait et dans une très grande année en plus. Quel vin ! Une puissance hors norme dans un gant de velours, encore beaucoup de fruit, mais aussi du tabac, cèdre etc, le nez change constamment, on ne s'en lasse pas. Très très grand vin, on est bien au-dessus du Cos d'Estournel de la même année bu il y a quelques mois. Et il est parti pour affronter les décennies...
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Tasted over two days decanting and following over 4 the course of 4 hours on day 1.
Wine was still deep ruby showing almost no signs of age except maybe at the very rim. Upon pouring the nose was all leather, tobacco and a little funk, and it was still very tannic on the palate with good acid and a long finish. I noted upon pouring this wine came off very powerful and rustic.
In the first hour the tannins began to fade and soften and the leather and tobacco grew stronger. At this point the wine still wasn’t showing much fruit and it was still buried in structure. In the second hour and more and more throughtout the night, subtle, delightful blackberry entered the mix as the tannins further fell away. On day 2 the wine was softer still and a bit fruitier.
All in this is a spectacular bottle of wine at an interesting stage in its development where there are many of the flavors and aromas of maturity but still so much structure protecting the fruit. I’ll definitely be submitting an edit to the existing drinking window (says 2008-2022) as I have two more bottles and wouldn’t touch another for at least a few more years. Suspect the best is yet to come.
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From magnum. Decanted for 3 hrs. Very youthful deep ruby color. Intense nose, still young but just starting to show tertiary aromas.unmistakably Californian, cassis and blue berries, smoke, encens, crushed rocks. Full body,creamy, typical high acidity with tannins still present but nicely framing the flavours with cassis, red and blue berries, cedar, menthol. Very good length. Excellent but I think still young. Will give it at least 5 more years.
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Rarities dinner “Spectacular Californians” late Nov 2021: deep rubin red color; complex bouquet with cassis, blueberry and cherry mixed with notes of horse, leather and cigar box; round and juicy with well balanced acidity on the palate.
Mature Dunn, gives everything you hoped for.
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OMG this wine is so good. Probably has a good 5 years or more left in the bottle. Wonderful complex nose with some oak left, but mainly dark berries. Smooth on the palate with surprising moderate amount of tannin left. Tons of fruit flavor left, mainly bing cherries and blackberries. Very long lovely finish. For safety, I removed the cork with an Ah-So opener, but the cork was in fabulous condition.
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Great spot right now after 21 years but can easily go many more. Red/black cherries, notes of eucalyptus and earth, still has a firm tannin structure and beautiful long finish.
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10 Year Tasting @ Cobble (1997-2006) Killer cab - this wine continued to open up well over the hour. Of the 10 years, this wine along with the 01 & 04 were the best
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From a pristinely cellared magnum, this wine was decanted off of its substantial sediment and allowed three hours in decanter before serially sampling over the ensuing several hours. Opaque ruby/red and teeming with fruit, it serves up a rich package of dark plums, mixed bramble fruits, lavender, leather, licorice, cedar and crushed rocks. Full-bodied and with excellent lift, it wraps its flavors with plentiful tannins that are integrating nicely. The wine's alcohol (listed as 13.3%) is well-woven, as is the oak. Dense and layered on the middle palate, it proceeds to a finish that lingers beautifully. For those holding comparably cellared magnums there should be no urgency in popping the cork, as they will last substantially longer than bottles in 750 cc format. Drink now-2035.
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great wine, unlike my last bottle in '18 I thought of this as a 3rd inning experience... beautiful fruit with great structure to balance, and some leather and cedar... but - tho not hampering the experience there were considerable tannins yet to shed... will try to drink my other '99 DHM's over the next 10 or 12 years (if I am disciplined)
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The wine is in a perfect place. I loved the tobacco and cherry. More ripe red fruit on the palate than I expected, but not in an extracted way. The finish is medium, and I would say it’s at its peak. I don’t know that you need to be in rush to drink the 99, but I’m also not sure it’s going to evolve much more. It paired perfectly with a grilled fillet. I’d say Dunn and Larkmead are my favorite California Cabs.
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To have a great experience with a particular wine you need a few major elements; proper btl age for that wine, and too often slighted - the right amount of air / decant and finally whenever possible, a prefect pairing. We had that tonight with this '99 Dunn HM! I opened this 4 hours before leaving for Capital Grill. Finding it a little closed I decanted immediately removing 1/2 a shot glass of sludge in the process. My high neck fill became a high shoulder fill:). Left it in the decanter for 2-1/2 hours and back in the btl with cork still out. Upon arrival at CG I removed the cork and took a test pour. Deep ruby with slight ambering on the edges. Nose awesome, palate lovely! We started drinking in earnest about 45 minutes later with the best restaurant steaks I've had, bar none. The Dunn was singing! Major cigar box & light cedar on the nose. The palate was fresh & lively with a cornucopia of intense Left Bank BDX flavors; dark raspberry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, cedar, graphite and mineral. I didn't note the Alc but someone else on CT states 13.3%. Ah, the good old days before too many CA Cabs became ports. I regret never buying Dunn on release as the HM along with Ridge MB & old Mondavi Reserves have become some of my favorite Cabs, bar none. Picked this pristine, perfectly aged btl up this past summer. What a find and what a killer pairing with steak! 96pts+
A Second London Pre-Holiday Celebration (67 Pall Mall): Served double blind in what was meant to be a Bordeaux flight, and this too was unmistakably New World to me. I also found it fairly shut down, though a real decant might have helped. Notes of muted currants, tobacco, and toasted oak. Fairly silky mouthfeel. Just need a decade or more for the fruit to emerge.
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Decanted the bottle about 2 1/2 hours before the tasting. This wine is really drinking well right now. Good fruit, nicely balanced, lingering finish. Wish I had more.
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The '99 is slowly improving as it ages. The profile is both blue and red fruit with ample earth, pine, and tobacco notes. Medium acidity with nice structure and a more graceful transition to a lingering finish. Very enjoyable.
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This is still middle of the fairway, classic cal cab stuff. Nice flavors, good mid-palate and obvious complexity making the whole thing interesting in your mouth. No rush on drinking, but probably at or near plateau.
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Women Love a Big D-erby Hat Throwdown!!; 5/3/2019-5/5/2019 (Louisville, KY): I mean someone had to get second lol...we can't all be winners...despite what your parents might tell you with their participation ribbons lolz...this one was still legit tho...84 Diamond Creek took this one to the woodshed/glue factory...this one probably looks good practicing on the track alone tho lol
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My second comment on this bottles Amazing how after 20 years cooped up in a bottle how the fruit especially the jam still has class. The fruit gives up after some time in air but still has firm structure. This is a big fruit wine with stringency and a bordeau nose. I have been drinking a lot of Old Dunn’s lately and none have let me down. Wines are holding well most liikely due to the wax top foils. Drinking great now and still has plenty of years left.
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Blood red in color. 13.3% ABV. Fantastic nose of red fruits, eucalyptus, leather and graphite. At twenty years of age there is more than enough fruit to keep the still present tannins in check. Big, powerful and concentrated. Currants, cassis, coffee and tobacco on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Dunn seems to be somewhat timeless but this wine feels like it is in good place for current consumption. Just a tremendous showing. I have a few bottles left that should keep for another 3-5 years.
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After 20 years this is still a big fruit bomb with a lot of astringency on opening. Berries and Oak to the nose with long legs. After an hour decanted still big, bold and fruity not giving up. After 4 hours its slightly tamer but still a big bottle of fruit. Not bad juice and may actually do better over the next 10 years which is surprising for a 99 ca cab but who knows. I have a few more and will see how they develop in a few years. For now drink it when your looking for big bold fruit.
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A lot of funk and barnyard smells upon initially opening. Nose mellows with time but the aromas persist. Like a Bordeaux. Dark blackish purple in color with no bricking. Fine sediment at the edges. Tannins still alive and strong acidity. Sour cherries, Asian spice, wet leaves. Long finish with the barnyard taste that marked the nose.
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First time tried wine from Dunn, thanks to DC8. Blinded tasted it, I thought it had very similar characteristics to left bank Bordeaux and guessed its a cab grape. Turned out to be Napa which was interesting as I did think the wine was quite elegant on fruits front, limited oaky note, and also carried more earthy, smoke, meaty sensation.
As I read more about Dunn from Vinous after drinking this bottle, Stephen Tanzer mentioned that Dunn used to use less than 50% of new oak before 2000s to age his wines, and gradually increase the % of new oak since then. This makes sense as the 1999 we had that night really had low oak influence, which is the style I prefer. Would be interested in trying newer vintage wines from them later on.
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DC8 is a generous man who hosted this happy hour session in Robuchon HK. This wine was the highlight. Pnp. Cassis, tobacco, cedarwood and sweet black fruit throughout the nose and palate. Very elegant and silky. Not a blockbuster but particularly appealing to people like me who like the napa dose of sunshine with some classic bordeaux profile. It probably lacked the stuffing in the mid-palate to make it great. But it was still very enjoyable. Drinking very well.
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had the same experience of many tasters, this was surprisingly high toned, red fruited, high acidity, sorta elegant... not what I expect for Dunn Howell but really, really enjoyable (and suits my tastes, usually I need 30 years on Dunn Howell for it to mellow out enough for my tastes), my buddy Joe was gaga over it... nice but different, great mouthfeel and silky
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Double decanted 3 hours prior to dinner. Lots of fine sed. Deep clear n dark ruby robe. Nice nose of red fruits, eucalyptus and vanilla, not over the top. Still a little tight , especially when compared to a schrader 2014 , an 82 de tertre . Tannins n acidity in check. Good balance. Still alive n well on night two. Drink w decant or hold.
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Will continue to develop for a few more years. Opened up about an hour after being decanted. Dark, heavy fruit flavors, but not jammy. Had alongside the 2001 and this was the superior vintage.
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DoubleD Fest (Carlsbad, California): 13.3% alcohol. Decanted. Clear dark inky garnet color. Glorious bouquet of sweet blackberry jam, black currant preserves, vanilla, sweet spicy oak, roses, violets, sandalwood, mocha, campfire. Similar on the palate, full body, beautiful balance and structure, rich and ripe, powerful but not fatiguing. Group's FOURTH PLACE.
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Same as before... same menu, better wine- underrated and getting better... no crumbly cork this time, really medium to full bodied belying label stating 13.3% alcohol... a huge wine with great mid palate and huge but sweet tannin... old school and outstanding.
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Dark ruby color. Very nice cool mountain berry fruit, savory, with good balance and depth. This wine showed some restraint while still being structured. However, I thought it was a bit one dimensional, and didn't have much length, including the finish. Tannins were completely smoothed out. Very good, but I was expecting a bit more.
Opened and decanted @ 3 hours. Deep, dark purple with few signs of age. The wine has a medicine cabinet aroma mixed with barnyard and blackberry. A very complex palate with notes of dark berries mingling with cassis, herbal notes and a strong element of eucalyptus/menthol. Strong tannins remain but the remaining fruit is equal to it. Full body and long finish. Good but unusual and not as enjoyable as expected.
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Opened and not decantd, followed over 90 minutes. Earthy notes of forest floor, Pine, and cigar. Dark red fruit, Bing cherries, still amazing depth and layering for a wind of its age.
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Dunn Howell Mountain Vertical B-day Dinner (Maple & Ash): A more subdued nose here with less fruit intensity and as a result the menthol, tobacco, dust and herb notes really pop. On the palate the tannins are more or less resolved and this drinks more smooth/slick than all of the other wines tonight. Enjoyable and very good on its own, but a laggard in the context of the other 9 Dunn HMs tonight.
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Dunn Howell Mountain vertical (Chicago, IL): This was the runt of the first flight; showing a lot more red-fruited and lighter than the opulent 1996 and 2001. Here, thanks to the slightly receded fruit, the dustiness and menthol show much more clearly. The acidity here is also much more prominent.
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Crumbly cork but wine not impacted. I didn't decant but really should've...classic Dunn HM. Brambleberry dusty nose, dark in color, big dark fruit, blackberry, black tart cherry, a little touch of granite/stone, full bodied, complete with BIG sweet tannins and an ultra long mouthwatering finish. Like any of these wines, its youthfulness belies nothing of it's age. At 18 years old, it's a youngster. Enjoyable, savory, tasty but if you drank it 10'years from now, you'd be happy too. Perfect with a dry rubbed grilled tri tip...
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This winemaker is quietly and steadily producing some of the best cabernet in California. Seeing this come out of the bottle, the dark purple belied almost no bricking, giving it a youthful appearance. The nose is medium in its complexity, some earthier elements of graphite, tar give way to an earnest backbone of fruit that very capably brings it all together in an amazing 30 second+ finish. I will hijack one of the previous comments because it's so good, basically saying this is a big wine not because it's a fruit bomb but because of its inherent muscularity. A spot on assessment, and one of the reasons I think it has at least 10 years left at this point. I'd take this over a some cult wine-of-the-moment any day.
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Score reflects the wine before it fell apart after five hours. Started out a bit thin with bright red fruit and elevated acidity. Definite bell pepper on nose and palate. Then it deepened and added cassis and complexity. Tannins were fine and supportive with a long finish that showed tobacco and earth. At about five hours it started falling apart. Turning green and acidic. Wonderful during hours 2-4.
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Dark core, slight rim variation, dark ruby, opaque. Still looks youthful for the age. Dark cherry, green herbs, vanilla, cedar plank, rustic must. Med body, a bit thin on the mid and the finish. Fruit up front, tannins and mountain muscle have softened. Much more soft, floral, fruit and elegance than i was expecting. Good amount of acid. More valley floor than mountain. Softer and light with a nice rip of acid. Wine is very green, green bell pepper, green herbs, sage, mint. Dark black cherrries, dark chocolate. Lots of sediment.
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2017 New Year's Day Tasting (Marietta, GA): Dark core with maroon rim; youthful fruit, tangy, juicy, some green pepper, chocolate, mushroom, smoke, herbs; ash, fine tannin, Bordeaux, fleshy, fine tannin, good acid; delicious; fooled everyone; still young.
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This is a big wine, not in the fruit bomb sense but in its inherent muscularity. Drinking at its prime in my opinion. A heady, purple- magenta, nearly opaque at the center. Grape on the vine aromas. Thick and unctuous, reminiscent of stolen barrel samples from a wine thief. Chewy in the mouth, less about fruit and more about wood, tannins and power. This is not a delicate or elegant wine but offers much enjoyment. Surprisingly on the lower end of the alcohol range, one won't get dizzy after the first glass. There are plenty of beautifully drinking California cabernets from the '90's accessible at auction for reasonable pricing. This is just one example from one of the finest producers.
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This wine is improving each time I taste it. Deep purple color with minimal signs of age. Nose has some sweet pepper, boysenberry, vanilla, and pine. The palate is wonderfully expressive and it changes throughout the bottle. I decanted it and left it for a couple hours before tasting. Blueberry, cedar, pine, metallic and mineral support, fresh tilled soil. Hold onto well stored bottles, they are getting better.
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Red/black cherries with that typical eucalyptus core throughout with some earth, mint, and subtle chocolate notes. Nice long finish, drinking very well right now.
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Cherry, cedar, and eucalyptus on the nose. The palate is a bit short, but the cherries and cedar dominate. Short finish. Surprisingly light for a Dunn this old. Drink up because this will only get softer with more age. Eh.
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Garnet in color with brick edge. Nose of stewed strawberries and hint of leather and barnyard. Tastes of cherries, moca, and hint of mushrooms. Thinner than expected and past prime. Not holding up the way the 97 did. Tasted from magnum. Drink up.
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Really excellent, perfect cork. A bit of cedar and dark mountain fruit. Much of the tannins have dropped away. I have one left and will drink it within a year.
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1999 Howell Mountain is a focused wine of barnyard, mushrooms, chocolate, coolness of herbs, little iodine and with dark fruit more in the background. Finely-grained tannins with nice juice and fine acidity make the wine fresh and very drinkable. Fresh herbs and some green notes support the overall fresh and almost ethereal appearance of this wine. Finishes long with dark fruit, mint and herbal spiciness. A very fresh and special Howell Mountain.
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I cannot rate this wine, must have been a bad bottle. Received from winebid, 01/16, tasted like sweet tarts and mushrooms w no finish and no oak. No vinegar taste however which was weird. How disappointing as this was my first experience w Dunn HM
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Magnum, not decanted and only aired for 45 mins. Notes well after-the-fact but classic Dunn style with the down-played fruit and tannin rarely found in todays call-cabs. Sweet red cherry, muted fruit, dusty tannins. Real treat in the heart of its drinking window.
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Developing quite nicely. Color is still very dark and purple with little visual signs of age. A little sweet spice on the nose along with blackberries. Palate is very complex with each taste revealing something new. It is a cool palate with some minerality and metallic undertones, but the blue fruit has integrated very well with all of the secondary notes. Still a lot of structure in the back end with a slightly sweet lingering finish. Still feels youthful, and I think there will be more improvement over the next 7 years. No rush to drink well stored bottles.
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Color is very dark purple with only a minimal lightening on the rim of the glass. Nose is sweet blueberries and sandlewood. The palate is blue and cool in feel with gunmetal and tobacco. Bright blue fruit (for the age) has integrated very well and the balance is very nice. Feels quite youthful. This is an old world style wine. The wine will probably last another 15 years.
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Excellent bottle of aged Cali cab beneath that chemical taste . The cab came through more this time then the last 2 times . Sometimes with wine u need to take the good with the bad . This was one of those situations .
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Deep dark red center, red rim with some signs of age. Cassis, graphite, stewed cherries, black olives, mint, touch of eucalyptus, smoked bacon, rich. Smooth, almost sweet, still some primary red fruit, blackcurrant and blackberry, good acidity and tannin, toasted oak, red plums, mint, greenness, fantastic minute long finish of tart cherries and black plums. Great old world style Howell Mnt Cab, such complexity, drinks well now, but will last another 5 years no problem.
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Amazingly open for a Dunn Howell Mtn at this tender young age. Sill primary, with red and black fruit and fine-grained tannins. Very well balanced with a fine future ahead of it.
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Strong backboned gent from a great vintage, this wine is at the peak of its primary stage (for you California Lovers) and has the fruit and the tannin framework to withstand a long secondary evolution (For you Bordeaux Lovers) period of 10 years or more. Now, its bright, polished and jubilant. The perfume is vibrant and showy of red fruit and ground coffee, followed by flavors of red fruit, cocoa, and cedar. The finish is bright red and energetically long. I would drink 1/2 my stash over next 3 years, and stash the other half for 10 years. I know, I know...who can wait?
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Slightly medicinal, almost VA but just a bit more acidic than it should be. Seemed to have some decent underlying red fruit underneath the acid and damp, green notes. Like slightly under ripe tomato. Finished with medium length and intensity. Served blind next to a '99 Ridge, which was much more open and giving. The grapes were probably just picked very early, but the excess acid had us wondering what wine making techniques may have been used here. Always the chance it may improve with time, however.
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Tasted with Robert, and had a somewhat contrary opinion about this wine. First, I love that barnyard, damp, ripe fruit aroma that was perhaps contrued as slightly medicinal, which by the way, mellowed out over the course of the tasting. Second, I didn't pick up any green notes that would distract the wine in any way. Third, the fruit that landed on the palate was a mixture of dark fruit and some red fruit, with the dark rich fruit stands out more. Overall, I think this is a really good bottle that was very enjoyable.
When compared this to the '99 Ridge Monte Bello, which was tasted side by side, the red fruit dominated in the Ridge and the aroma in the ridge was not giving off that barnyard, damp, ripe fruit to the senses. Each of of these bottles has its own individuality and I love them for their differences. Both were extremely well made and I would love to sit with either one for the whole night if I can.
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Stood out in a mighty line up (Scarecrow, Colgin, Pegau, Paul Hobbs, etc) for its almost perfect balance. Past any exuberant fruit phase, this showed earth and leather in equal parts with currant and plum. Drink right now.
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Screaming Eagle Showdown (Yellow Springs Inn): Part of a blind tasting of 1999 US Cabernets. I had this rated higher the first time through. Seemed to fade as the evening wore on. Most other tasters had this rated much higher. Noticeable barnyard nose, rich fruit on the palate, with tannins very much in evidence. Might be early for this wine, given the tannic structure and the reputation of the producer. Hold.
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Excellent right now. Solid fruit and tannin has softened significantly. Probably can cellar for 5 more years or more, but for me, I like it now - especially with grilled beef. Opened and decanted for 2+ hours.
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An evening with Ib B (Frederiksberg): MG. Marvelous cab, still painfully young, especially from mg (took 3 days to really open); blackberries galore, tannins only slowly dissolving, a core of sweetness, but the main impression is the coolness and the minerality of the mountain cab. Stunning. Kudos to Dunn – as always. 95+. (Provenance: RL)
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Tasted blind and all 12 in our wine club thought this was a high end bordeaux. Earthy, dark fruit, coffee, with tremendous finish. Drinking perfectly now.
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Decanted and allowed to breathe for 90 mins, then followed over 2 hours. Sampled in both Somm Series and classic Reidl Vinum stems, the wine was far smoother and bordeaux-styled in the Somm stems, where the vinum's showed a more youthful side of the wine, at times rough with an alcohol burn that was never present in the Somm's. Modest bricking on the edges, this throws off aromas of leather, moist forest floor, allspice, and old wooden barrel. Medium weight shows some fine-grained but rough-edged tannins, mature dark fruit, and aged oak. Classic Dunn profile has the nose and approach of a bordeaux, but still shows show new world traits. In a good place, very drinkable.
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More open that I had anticipated. Still needs time however. Good fruit and tangy acidity are in balance. A strong note of pencil shavings on the palate. Note present individually and still need time to integrate. Will try the next bottle no sooner than 2017.
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I waited seemingly forever for this wine to mature, and it had a short window, but now it might be a little past it's prime. It still has great color and nice legs, but is a little light on the palate.
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Not your typical Dunn Howell. First of all, I'm drinking this one now, at its peak with only 30 minutes of air time, and long before I'll finish my early 90's Dunn Howells. More cassis, spice and sweet Oak than your typical Howell. Still the beautiful black fruits are layered and provide a solid 20+ second finish.
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This opaque ruby/red wine was tasted in double-blind fashion. With a youthful nose of cassis, graphite, bramble fruits and cedar, it follows with a fresh, full-bodied palate. The ample tannins are somewhat rustic, while the alcohol (listed as 13.3%) is nicely integrated. Black fruit dominates the flavor profile and persists throughout a solid middle palate. The finish is lengthy, albeit slightly astringent. This well-made Cabernet will benefit from further time in the cellar. Drink 2015-2025.
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This is drinking perfectly now. Just had a bottle of 1994 as well and the '99 was significantly better on all counts. Very Bordeaux like - earthy, leather balanced nicely with ripe fruit. Great from top to bottom. Decant for 60 minutes+.
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Two Bottle Vertical at the Lake (Bob and Anita's Place on Lake Wylie): This is in a great drinking window now IMO. We all got a lot of leather (Bob jokingly commented that he specifically got notes of "Argentinian Saddle Leather" whatever the hell that is!) This was better to me than the '87. Had more life, fruits not faded as much and did not have the funky old earth component. Blueberry and cherry with a little minerality. Medium.
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- Ruby color with medium forming legs and aromas of black currant, cherry, fig, violet and cedar. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of black currant, cherry and dusty with a medium body. Smooth texture with a medium finish - Popped and poured but drunk over 2 hours. Very Bordeaux like and completely enjoyable. This kept getting better and better in the glass. We loved this wine.
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I've been drinking a bottle of this vintage about every two years and it has never been quite ready until now. It has finally aged into a full bodied smooth cab. Fantastic.
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- Garnet color with medium forming legs and aromas of bell pepper and blackberry. It's balanced and has flavours of blackberry with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish.
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Decanted for a few hours. This wine reminds me of Bordeaux. A little musty with a scent of green olives. Very smooth with light tannins. I get floral and pencil lead flavors.
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From magnum. Decanted 3 hours at cellar temp. This wine is in a good place right now. And although I think it can go longer, I would recommend drinking in next 5 years. Deep dark red in the glass, this was VERY smooth with the mellowed tannins matching the soft fruit flavors. To me, Dunn cabs always have a more mellowed fruit profile (even young) which is why long term cellaring helps as it allows the tannins to lay down to match this more muted fruit profile. This is not your quintessential Big Cali Cab. It is much more subtle and requires time on the tongue to coax the complexities to reveal themselves. Medium long finish. Very nice.
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Decanted and allowed to rest for an hour before being consumed over 2.5 hours. Still retains a dark purple coloring throughout. Bordeaux-like bouquet muted fruit, earth, old wine barrel and a vague hint of green olive. Profile is medium in weight with dark fruits well-balanced against rich tannins. Cigar, more dark fruit, and bramble round out the flavors. A really enjoyable bottle that has several very good years still ahead of it.
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This deep-to-opaque ruby wine, purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion, was double-decanted prior to presentation at a walk-around wine and food event. The wine was allowed two hours in decanter prior to funneling back into the cleaned bottle. This wine requires significant aeration (after decanting off its sediment, Vinturi aeration was added prior to the funneling process). The nose ultimately opens to show aromas of cassis, bramble fruits, minerals and cedar. Full-bodied on the palate, with medium-to-high acidity, big chewy tannins and well-integrated alcohol (listed as 13.3%). The flavors are black fruit-dominated and the middle palate is not lacking in depth. Long, albeit slightly astringent finish. This is quintessential Randy Dunn...give it some time for maximal pleasure. Drink 1/15-12/25.
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Late Feb 2012, Dunn tasting (with Randy Dunn present) at the Rheingau Gourmet Festival: bottle opened approx. 75 min. before tasting, bottle to decanter back to bottle decanted, 15 min. before consumption poured into the glass (sommelier information); crimson color; started with restrained sulfur notes, after a few moments red berries, chocolate, mint, leather, horse and some barnyard; medium body; round texture.
Had the impression the 1999 Dunn Howell Mountain is close to another metamorphosis to become a fully mature Cabernet Sauvignon.
Flight I: 2007 - 2005 - 2003 - 2001 - 1999
Randy Dunn information: approx. 450 cases/year, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 80-85% Nevers oak.
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another bottle that had a very off-putting funk/man-made chemical taste......some of it blew off after an hour , but it was still there until the bottle was gone( 2 hours later ) .....a shame because this bottle in particular had a very very nice cabernet beneath whatever THAT was........
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One of the most disappointing wines I have ever opened. Tasted like iodine two hours after decanting. Don't know whether to flush the other five bottles in my cellar down the toilet or send them back to the winery
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Day 1 - Popped and poured. I really want to like this wine because I think it's great what Dunn Vineyards is trying to achieve. There is lack of the traditional spicy California cab fruit in this one. Day 2 and it is opening up nicely. On the nose, menthol, matchbox, burnt logs, musty old house, wet concrete, ozone ( smell just before it rains). On the palette, mouth coating with some nice but not big fruit in the middle. A solid 30 second finish with some tannin but not overwhelming. A fascinating wine. I understand 99 was a tough vintage. I've had the 94 Napa Valley and the 04 Howell Mountain with both exhibiting a touch more ripe fruit. I have 05, 06 and 07 Howell Mountain on order and am looking forward to experiencing them with some friends!
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Decanted 2 hours, rebottled andd followed over a further 3 hours. Hugely aromatic nose of blackberry, eucalyptus and anise with a touch of earthiness. Full bodied with lots of up front blackberry, blueberry and plum. Very nice balance and acidity and on the mid palate this wine shows its' mountain terroir with nice chalky minerality and earthiness. The finish was only moderate with smooth tannins. Very enjoyable wine which is drinking well right now. This was beginning to fade a little towards the end so i am not sure how much longer it will remain at this level. May not need quite as long in the decanter as i gave it.
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Very intriguing wine. Dark red with no signs of aging, a complex nose of bell pepper, licorice, huge iodine scents and hints of mint. The palate was a replay of the nose with fairly grainy tannins but a good core of acidity that kept this wine fresh and in need of food. Good expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and a little bordeaux like in terms of profile. Medium long finish.
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This wine struck a perfect balance between the structure and freshness of a French Bordeaux and the fruitiness of a Napa cab. Very noticeable dark color. Big, tannic elements from the mountain source, plus lots of blackberry fruit. We drank it after Christmas Eve dinner and were amazed by the graphite, berry, plum, and just the right cedar notes.
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Very nice - seems a bit aged for an "only 11 year old Dunn HM" but what the heck - it's mostly resolved and lush and still quite fruity. Ready to finish the stash, I think.
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Very drinkable now, but also could have waited another year or two for sure. Had a leathery nose with solid blackberries and also with a touch of earthy must undertones. Extremely well balanced and complex. Will buy more in the future.
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13.3% alcohol. This is such a baby of a wine. Decanted. Very dark red color. Initially, very tightly wound. With a couple hours' air, it really began to open up. It's a stunningly good wine, as one would expect. Pure, focused, and tremendously concentrated black fruit on the nose, with distinct graphite and tobacco notes, along with earth and minerals. In the mouth, tight but an awfully beautiful wine. The laser-like precision of the flavors ends up exploding in a panoply of black fruit, earth, and minerals that would make a Fourth of July fireworks display proud. Huge tannins on the finish that are surprisingly refined. This will go another decade easily before it starts to show its fully marvelous qualities. A
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Dark red in the glass. Notes of cedary oak, cassis, eucalyptus and blueberries. Slightly tart but not overtly tannic for a young Dunn Howell Mountain. Good backbone, nice mouthfeel still slightly young with some slightly tart tannins in the 20 second or so finish to overcome. Re-examine in 2 years, it should drink well.
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dejavu 2 years later, different bottle from different store, same seaweed and horse' urine. I'll never know what went wrong and what exactly happened at the winery. Probably some space aliens used the barrels to hatch their youngsters or red cross used them to store iodine or fishermen used them to pickle herring.
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Still too tannic. I wonder if this wine will ever be drinkable....like many of the other vintages Randy has to offer. As usual, great clarity and purity, excellent berry and cherry fruits, but overwhelming tannins...Wait another two years before trying again.
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Very consistent notes on this wine... it will last a very long time and is essentially still where it was last time I tasted it... distinctive and quite good.
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Dark garnet red with no fading on the rim. Rich tarry current nose, with a touch of eucalyptus. Striking mouthful of rich smooth fruit with still fairly bracing tannins given the age. Quite delicious and it will get better for a fe more years.
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Evolving nicely for a Dunn. Decanted 1 hour and drank over 2 more. Tannins are firm, but well-integrated. Good solid backbone. Nose of black cherries and cassis, wrapped in glove leather, cedar, smoke and eucalyptus leaves. Delivers black fruit, cassis, spices and minerals on the finish, with a fine Howell Mountain brambliness. This wine is entering a nice period of "drinkability" and will last for at least a decade (or two..)
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Dark color, slightly hazy. Rim is ruby, extraction moderate. Very distinctive on the nose with primary fruit notes dominating... loads of dark fruits, raspberry, bilberry... has a definite vegetal edge to the fruits. Good minerality with a very pronounced and very distinctively Dunn ground up Flinstone vitamin kind of thing... some distant new oak barrique spice in there. On the palate very high acidity, a very typically cabernet midpalate, a smooth transitioin into a moderately tannic finish (the tannins are barely ripe but still quite integrated and feel more polymerized than I would suspect), low alcohol. Defintely balanced wine, good length, very good intensity and complexity. Certainly finesse in there... appropriately firm texture, is way more Dunn than Napa cabernet to me. A fascinating wine in a number of ways... still has a decade or two of life... excellent stuff for sure and a style that I think more Napa cab producers should emulate.
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Sommelier decanted for about 20 minutes. This is classic Dunn and as such is just entering its drinking window. That said, it is absolutely delicious. Earthy and delicate with hints of coffee, and berries it is totally balanced and has no tannic finish. It will undoubtedly get better, but was thoroughly enjoyable.
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Decanted for over an hour. This wine shows great fruit (Black cherry and blackberry) but still slightly off balance from the tannins. I would wait another few years to enjoy this as the last glass was no different from the first, leading me to believe that time is needed. Color was perfect, crisp and clear. The finish lasted a long time but was drowned out by the tannins which stayed on the palate for many minutes after the fruit was gone. This will be an excellent wine in time.
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Just entering its drinking window, with telltale nose of herbs and red currant, with a touch of brett, medium to full bodied with perfect balance and tannins to last another 15 to 20 years. What I appreciate in these Dunn wines is the wonderful viscous texture that they aquire as their tannins break down. This is showing well at an early stage...the 97 is still hard as nails. Drink with decanting, or hold.
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I can't figure out this one. My first impression was: Iodine. Second impression: something fishy. As the time went by it turned into "clam chowder" and than to "sea weed". Will open another bottle in few years just to see if this one was an off bottle or few dry fishes were thrown in a barrel just to confuse me.
After reading other notes, I am afraid I'll have to give this one to somebody as a gift. If you get it from me, make no mistakes, I hate your guts!
Dark red in the glass looking quite lovely. Very fruit forward with several berries fighting for first billing. Lots of cherry and strawberry on the palate with sweet tobacco, spice and some faint smoke. Tannic as hell. Tasted over a 90 minute period and it just didn't seem to calm down. Was expecting more, but still rating based on this experience alone and not what I wanted it to be.
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(Drank with 2001 Lewelling Wight Cabernet at Bistro du Village) Fresh and ripe on the nose, with berries, cassis, tobaccco leaf and a pleasant funkiness. More tannic and with less weight than the Lewelling. Chocolate cherries, earthy, a great finish. very Bordeaux-like. Drinking well, but could possibly use a few more years to ease the tannins. I like this better than the Lewelling, went well with the beef stew.
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Tonight - marked down for simplicity. A good wine with a decent nose and a decent, but slightly thin, mouth. The length is good, but again, rather fruity-simple. We enjoyed this bottle, but it's hard to imagine that it's really going to draw out any more than it already is.
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Wonderful deep crimson color with purple tinged edges. The nose was restrained with some dark cherries and currant, while showing a little ripeness. Upon entering the mouth this wine was beautifully integrated with some secondary notes of tar and cedar. All the dark fruits were present. A great seamless tannin level had delivered this nicely to age 8. A smooth even finish completed the package. This had shown very nicely considering the reputation Dunn Howell has received for being a 20 year wine.
Enjoy one if you have any.
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mmmmm. yummy- very thick, tannic, dark purple and young- lots of cherry and black fruit, soy and cassis. Very drinkable but it will last for a good long time- very ripe for a dunn howell mtn but also very structured as one would expect- a great mouthful of mountain cab with searing tannins and a long finish- it's a baby but goes great with marinated, grilled skirt steak.
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Good, I expected more, but the flavors were ripe, the finish moderately long, and the oak was well integrated, with ultrafine tannins. On the cusp of outstanding, but for the money, I have had better.
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I'm sure that I've "over-rated" this wine, but I liked it - a lot. I think that this wine is a good example of a wine actually getting to where it's going in a reasonable amount of time. Hard to believe, but after two hours of air, the tannins had somewhat disappated and left behind a wine that, to me, is quite well balanced. There's a bit of acid (on top of the tannins), a good length, a good (not great, but good) midpalate, and good fruit.
If anything, I'd mark this wine down on the simplicity of the fruit. That could be because the wine is young for a Dunn HM, but I'm not sure that there's enough "stuffing" to carry this one into the realm of "great wines" (where great is, of course, 93 points or more!!!) The fruit is good (black cherry? some oak, some earth) with a bit of a vegetative hint that's a tiny bit offputting, but just a tiny bit. The length is good, and the overall "feel" of this wine is one that's a pleasure to drink. It's not an intellectual pleasure, but it's a pleasure nonetheless.
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I've been on the list there since the 1998 vintage (bad timing since 2 of first three vintages were not stellar). Just received my invoice for the '02 so I decided to open the '99 to gove me a taste of what awaits me in the future. Decanted 4 hours prior. Immediate primary nose of raspberry after opening the wax seal and cork. The bottle is in pristine condition and this really speaks well for sourcing wines direct from the producer.
Wine is not heavy although it is thick in the glass. Nose of black cherry with hints of spice box. On the palate there is excellent balance before the wall of tannins hits. The tannins are not harsh but still very apparent at this stage. Still very primary. Needs 5 years minimum to resolve the tannins I would guess. Wine was exciting enough to continue to purchase future vintages.
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Bright purple red. Medium aromas of red fruit and briar. Forward red fruit against a round but firm tannic backbone along with some coffee notes on the finish. Drinking very well but has a long life ahead of it. 1/04
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Tasted from the wine bar at Vintage Wines, Ltd. The bottle being tasted was freshly opened and the glass was sampled over a period of 2 hours. Opaque black/purple with purple rim. Clean nose, showing intense chocolate, currants, cassis and bramble aromas. Full-bodied and well-structured on the palate, with ample sweet tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Long finish. Very nice wine which should develop well over the next several years.
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12/1/2023 - Eagle13 wrote: 92 Points
Included my last bottle with a ten bottle lot taken to San Francisco to auction at K&L Wine Merchants.
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11/24/2023 - soyhead wrote:
from magnum
young,but (surprise!) rather closed. this wine in magnum, is, at age 24, still very furled, and has a huge future ahead
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11/18/2023 - Eagle13 wrote: 92 Points
Typical Dunn Howell. Still very good w 2.5 hr decant. Needed time to settle down. Old style cabernet sauvignon w great balance.
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7/23/2023 - mowtod wrote: flawed
Losing some fruit but still a very good’ food’wine
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3/4/2023 - t_moderne wrote:
Opened (broke the wax with corkscrew and then used an Ah-So as the cork crumbled a bit).
Decanted about 3/4 of the bottle.
Tasted upon opening and then about 1 hour later.
Initial bouquet is a bit of cheese, leather and dried leaves along with dark fruit and a nice level of acidity.
Opened up with time in the decanter but showed its age. Tertiary notes of leather and leaves and old books but still showing, underneath, dark fruit. The acidity keeps it fresh.
Tasted the following day. Wine was holding up and retained its freshness - just showing more tertiary flavors than fruit.
14.5% abv.
Red wax capsule.
This wine showed its age; it had been kept in good conditions (temperature managed). Just not that exciting. I expected more from this wine - solid producer from a good year.
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1/1/2023 - VindependenceDay Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Bought at auction. Slightly concerned because there was a bit of seepage from a tiny hole in the wax capsule. Actually seems to have turned out ok. Nose of raspberry, blackberry jam, smoke, cherry coke. Tart acidity. Tannins very noticeable initially but retreated after about 10min in glass. Also a bit thin initially but filled out and got a nice medium body over 15-30min. Will see how it continues to evolve.
(Later update) The wine continued to fatten up and improve over 4 hours. As others have commented helpfully, a decant would have been a good idea. Ah well lesson learned for the remaining bottles. Also by the last glass I would have bumped up my score to a 93 from earlier 91.
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12/27/2022 - greedy wrote: 81 Points
Way past prime. Lots of barnyard funk but not enough fruit left to satisfy me. My first experience with aged dunn. I fear I waited to long to drink. Unlike ridge monte bello, which hits its stride 20 years in.
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12/24/2022 - Terroir59 wrote: 92 Points
Purchased from the winery. Double-decanted and drank over five hours. Color hardly showed any age, definitely no browning at the rim. Some high-toned floral notes and crunchy dark red fruits on the palate. Surprising that this bottle presented few secondary aromas and flavors. Still a good balance of fruit and softening tannins. No rush to drink this wine, my guess is that it has 5-10+ years at this level of enjoyment.
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12/21/2022 - dcwino wrote: 95 Points
A lost Friday afternoon gathering – CDPs, Chave, Schrader and etc. (Q by Peter Chang - Bethesda, Maryland): Classic old school Dunn nose displaying dusty black fruit, blackberry crème de cassis, noticeable green, cabernet floral dust, leather, lead pencil, dark spices and crushed rocks. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of slightly green but ripe black fruit, good freshness and balance, bright acidity and earthy mineral, and a long ripe black fruit driven finish with a hint of green and cedar at the end. This is a classic Dunn that is drinking very well.
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11/10/2022 - Grenik Likes this wine: 95 Points
Amazing wine. Drinking so well with huge depth of flavor. This is what I love from Dunn. Gunmetal, cedar, wet stone, blue/black fruit. M- acidity, M- tannins. All integrated into a long and lingering finish.
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9/10/2022 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
Still middle of the fairway. Good classic cab flavors in balance. Probably at a peak, but not going materially south anytime soon.
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8/21/2022 - barrytaylor Likes this wine: 92 Points
mature, ready to drink, typical deep color, decanted 1 hr, smooth,
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5/19/2022 - vinum bonum wrote: 95 Points
Une belle semaine munichoise: Des années que je voulais goûter ce mythe, voilà qui est fait et dans une très grande année en plus. Quel vin ! Une puissance hors norme dans un gant de velours, encore beaucoup de fruit, mais aussi du tabac, cèdre etc, le nez change constamment, on ne s'en lasse pas. Très très grand vin, on est bien au-dessus du Cos d'Estournel de la même année bu il y a quelques mois. Et il est parti pour affronter les décennies...
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1/2/2022 - Lyonspat13 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Tasted over two days decanting and following over 4 the course of 4 hours on day 1.
Wine was still deep ruby showing almost no signs of age except maybe at the very rim. Upon pouring the nose was all leather, tobacco and a little funk, and it was still very tannic on the palate with good acid and a long finish. I noted upon pouring this wine came off very powerful and rustic.
In the first hour the tannins began to fade and soften and the leather and tobacco grew stronger. At this point the wine still wasn’t showing much fruit and it was still buried in structure. In the second hour and more and more throughtout the night, subtle, delightful blackberry entered the mix as the tannins further fell away. On day 2 the wine was softer still and a bit fruitier.
All in this is a spectacular bottle of wine at an interesting stage in its development where there are many of the flavors and aromas of maturity but still so much structure protecting the fruit. I’ll definitely be submitting an edit to the existing drinking window (says 2008-2022) as I have two more bottles and wouldn’t touch another for at least a few more years. Suspect the best is yet to come.
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12/17/2021 - barrytaylor Likes this wine: 95 Points
good dark color, 1hr in decanter. mature wine, cherries & chocolate, soft tannins, long finish, ready to drink
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11/29/2021 - Chekib m. Likes this wine: 94 Points
From magnum. Decanted for 3 hrs. Very youthful deep ruby color.
Intense nose, still young but just starting to show tertiary aromas.unmistakably Californian, cassis and blue berries, smoke, encens, crushed rocks.
Full body,creamy, typical high acidity with tannins still present but nicely framing the flavours with cassis, red and blue berries, cedar, menthol. Very good length.
Excellent but I think still young. Will give it at least 5 more years.
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11/27/2021 - Fatty Cat wrote: 94 Points
Rarities dinner “Spectacular Californians” late Nov 2021: deep rubin red color; complex bouquet with cassis, blueberry and cherry mixed with notes of horse, leather and cigar box; round and juicy with well balanced acidity on the palate.
Mature Dunn, gives everything you hoped for.
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10/30/2021 - Plush05 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Herby. Dry. Good mouth feel/texture. Mellow tannins. Complex flavors that change ever so slightly sipping over an hour or so. Very enjoyable.
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8/17/2021 - GGinSF wrote: 93 Points
Still fresh and vibrant at 22 years old. Classic Howell Mountain.
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6/27/2021 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 92 Points
good but nothing special for a Dunn Howell... maybe a little early??
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6/12/2021 - wehouck Likes this wine: 97 Points
OMG this wine is so good. Probably has a good 5 years or more left in the bottle. Wonderful complex nose with some oak left, but mainly dark berries. Smooth on the palate with surprising moderate amount of tannin left. Tons of fruit flavor left, mainly bing cherries and blackberries. Very long lovely finish. For safety, I removed the cork with an Ah-So opener, but the cork was in fabulous condition.
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6/11/2021 - twwatson100 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Dark ruby color, leather and damp earth on the nose. Palate is surprisingly young, not consistent with the nose, but excellent overall.
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5/31/2021 - WoodieBayArea wrote:
way late in the evening, and no decant, so no ability to assess
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5/14/2021 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great spot right now after 21 years but can easily go many more. Red/black cherries, notes of eucalyptus and earth, still has a firm tannin structure and beautiful long finish.
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11/8/2020 - JR_Boston Likes this wine: 96 Points
10 Year Tasting @ Cobble (1997-2006)
Killer cab - this wine continued to open up well over the hour. Of the 10 years, this wine along with the 01 & 04 were the best
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9/10/2020 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 95 Points
From a pristinely cellared magnum, this wine was decanted off of its substantial sediment and allowed three hours in decanter before serially sampling over the ensuing several hours. Opaque ruby/red and teeming with fruit, it serves up a rich package of dark plums, mixed bramble fruits, lavender, leather, licorice, cedar and crushed rocks. Full-bodied and with excellent lift, it wraps its flavors with plentiful tannins that are integrating nicely. The wine's alcohol (listed as 13.3%) is well-woven, as is the oak. Dense and layered on the middle palate, it proceeds to a finish that lingers beautifully. For those holding comparably cellared magnums there should be no urgency in popping the cork, as they will last substantially longer than bottles in 750 cc format. Drink now-2035.
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9/3/2020 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 93 Points
great wine, unlike my last bottle in '18 I thought of this as a 3rd inning experience... beautiful fruit with great structure to balance, and some leather and cedar... but - tho not hampering the experience there were considerable tannins yet to shed... will try to drink my other '99 DHM's over the next 10 or 12 years (if I am disciplined)
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6/22/2020 - David_K wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful wine. Elegant. Effortless. Not a bruiser in the least and drinking superbly today.
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3/16/2020 - Troon Likes this wine: 93 Points
The wine is in a perfect place. I loved the tobacco and cherry. More ripe red fruit on the palate than I expected, but not in an extracted way. The finish is medium, and I would say it’s at its peak. I don’t know that you need to be in rush to drink the 99, but I’m also not sure it’s going to evolve much more. It paired perfectly with a grilled fillet. I’d say Dunn and Larkmead are my favorite California Cabs.
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1/4/2020 - chablis28 wrote: 96 Points
To have a great experience with a particular wine you need a few major elements; proper btl age for that wine, and too often slighted - the right amount of air / decant and finally whenever possible, a prefect pairing. We had that tonight with this '99 Dunn HM! I opened this 4 hours before leaving for Capital Grill. Finding it a little closed I decanted immediately removing 1/2 a shot glass of sludge in the process. My high neck fill became a high shoulder fill:). Left it in the decanter for 2-1/2 hours and back in the btl with cork still out. Upon arrival at CG I removed the cork and took a test pour. Deep ruby with slight ambering on the edges. Nose awesome, palate lovely! We started drinking in earnest about 45 minutes later with the best restaurant steaks I've had, bar none. The Dunn was singing! Major cigar box & light cedar on the nose. The palate was fresh & lively with a cornucopia of intense Left Bank BDX flavors; dark raspberry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, cedar, graphite and mineral. I didn't note the Alc but someone else on CT states 13.3%. Ah, the good old days before too many CA Cabs became ports. I regret never buying Dunn on release as the HM along with Ridge MB & old Mondavi Reserves have become some of my favorite Cabs, bar none. Picked this pristine, perfectly aged btl up this past summer. What a find and what a killer pairing with steak! 96pts+
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12/15/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 91 Points
A Second London Pre-Holiday Celebration (67 Pall Mall): Served double blind in what was meant to be a Bordeaux flight, and this too was unmistakably New World to me. I also found it fairly shut down, though a real decant might have helped. Notes of muted currants, tobacco, and toasted oak. Fairly silky mouthfeel. Just need a decade or more for the fruit to emerge.
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12/13/2019 - Quarked wrote: 94 Points
Forgot to take notes while drinking over Thanksgiving, but this was exceptionally good.
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11/22/2019 - Bottledrainer Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted the bottle about 2 1/2 hours before the tasting. This wine is really drinking well right now. Good fruit, nicely balanced, lingering finish. Wish I had more.
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6/30/2019 - Grenik Likes this wine: 93 Points
The '99 is slowly improving as it ages. The profile is both blue and red fruit with ample earth, pine, and tobacco notes. Medium acidity with nice structure and a more graceful transition to a lingering finish. Very enjoyable.
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5/18/2019 - levinml wrote: 94 Points
This is still middle of the fairway, classic cal cab stuff. Nice flavors, good mid-palate and obvious complexity making the whole thing interesting in your mouth. No rush on drinking, but probably at or near plateau.
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5/4/2019 - Bro-rolo Likes this wine: 94 Points
Women Love a Big D-erby Hat Throwdown!!; 5/3/2019-5/5/2019 (Louisville, KY): I mean someone had to get second lol...we can't all be winners...despite what your parents might tell you with their participation ribbons lolz...this one was still legit tho...84 Diamond Creek took this one to the woodshed/glue factory...this one probably looks good practicing on the track alone tho lol
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4/4/2019 - drinknick31 Likes this wine: 94 Points
My second comment on this bottles Amazing how after 20 years cooped up in a bottle how the fruit especially the jam still has class. The fruit gives up after some time in air but still has firm structure. This is a big fruit wine with stringency and a bordeau nose. I have been drinking a lot of Old Dunn’s lately and none have let me down. Wines are holding well most liikely due to the wax top foils. Drinking great now and still has plenty of years left.
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3/23/2019 - tomlee wrote: 95 Points
Blood red in color. 13.3% ABV. Fantastic nose of red fruits, eucalyptus, leather and graphite. At twenty years of age there is more than enough fruit to keep the still present tannins in check. Big, powerful and concentrated. Currants, cassis, coffee and tobacco on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Dunn seems to be somewhat timeless but this wine feels like it is in good place for current consumption. Just a tremendous showing. I have a few bottles left that should keep for another 3-5 years.
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2/13/2019 - drfibb wrote: 94 Points
Stood up to 2001 margeaux
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1/12/2019 - drinknick31 wrote: 91 Points
After 20 years this is still a big fruit bomb with a lot of astringency on opening. Berries and Oak to the nose with long legs. After an hour decanted still big, bold and fruity not giving up. After 4 hours its slightly tamer but still a big bottle of fruit. Not bad juice and may actually do better over the next 10 years which is surprising for a 99 ca cab but who knows. I have a few more and will see how they develop in a few years. For now drink it when your looking for big bold fruit.
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12/27/2018 - bobvictor wrote: 94 Points
A lot of funk and barnyard smells upon initially opening. Nose mellows with time but the aromas persist. Like a Bordeaux. Dark blackish purple in color with no bricking. Fine sediment at the edges. Tannins still alive and strong acidity. Sour cherries, Asian spice, wet leaves. Long finish with the barnyard taste that marked the nose.
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11/29/2018 - AB16 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Blake Tasting - Guessed New World Cab 2000's - Ripe fruit that has aged nicely - i liked this wine and think it will continue to develop nicely
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11/25/2018 - Ms. Bubblehead Likes this wine:
First time tried wine from Dunn, thanks to DC8. Blinded tasted it, I thought it had very similar characteristics to left bank Bordeaux and guessed its a cab grape. Turned out to be Napa which was interesting as I did think the wine was quite elegant on fruits front, limited oaky note, and also carried more earthy, smoke, meaty sensation.
As I read more about Dunn from Vinous after drinking this bottle, Stephen Tanzer mentioned that Dunn used to use less than 50% of new oak before 2000s to age his wines, and gradually increase the % of new oak since then. This makes sense as the 1999 we had that night really had low oak influence, which is the style I prefer. Would be interested in trying newer vintage wines from them later on.
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11/23/2018 - Burgnick Likes this wine: 92 Points
DC8 is a generous man who hosted this happy hour session in Robuchon HK. This wine was the highlight. Pnp. Cassis, tobacco, cedarwood and sweet black fruit throughout the nose and palate. Very elegant and silky. Not a blockbuster but particularly appealing to people like me who like the napa dose of sunshine with some classic bordeaux profile. It probably lacked the stuffing in the mid-palate to make it great. But it was still very enjoyable. Drinking very well.
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11/5/2018 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 92 Points
had the same experience of many tasters, this was surprisingly high toned, red fruited, high acidity, sorta elegant... not what I expect for Dunn Howell but really, really enjoyable (and suits my tastes, usually I need 30 years on Dunn Howell for it to mellow out enough for my tastes), my buddy Joe was gaga over it... nice but different, great mouthfeel and silky
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1/1/2018 - Whine-oh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Double decanted 3 hours prior to dinner. Lots of fine sed. Deep clear n dark ruby robe. Nice nose of red fruits, eucalyptus and vanilla, not over the top. Still a little tight , especially when compared to a schrader 2014 , an 82 de tertre . Tannins n acidity in check. Good balance. Still alive n well on night two. Drink w decant or hold.
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11/5/2017 - VDLT Wine Does not like this wine:
Too much cedar and eucalyptus. Others liked but I found it one (off) note. Good body and structure.
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10/25/2017 - dofzin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Will continue to develop for a few more years. Opened up about an hour after being decanted. Dark, heavy fruit flavors, but not jammy. Had alongside the 2001 and this was the superior vintage.
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10/7/2017 - Javachip Likes this wine: 95 Points
DoubleD Fest (Carlsbad, California): 13.3% alcohol. Decanted. Clear dark inky garnet color. Glorious bouquet of sweet blackberry jam, black currant preserves, vanilla, sweet spicy oak, roses, violets, sandalwood, mocha, campfire. Similar on the palate, full body, beautiful balance and structure, rich and ripe, powerful but not fatiguing. Group's FOURTH PLACE.
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8/26/2017 - jonnyoro wrote: 96 Points
Same as before... same menu, better wine- underrated and getting better... no crumbly cork this time, really medium to full bodied belying label stating 13.3% alcohol... a huge wine with great mid palate and huge but sweet tannin... old school and outstanding.
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7/7/2017 - levinml wrote: 94 Points
Really nice drinking, middle of the fairway, classic flavors. Seems in good balance now, but not going anywhere. Enjoy.
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7/2/2017 - davergny Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark ruby color. Very nice cool mountain berry fruit, savory, with good balance and depth. This wine showed some restraint while still being structured. However, I thought it was a bit one dimensional, and didn't have much length, including the finish. Tannins were completely smoothed out. Very good, but I was expecting a bit more.
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6/11/2017 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 89 Points
Opened and decanted @ 3 hours. Deep, dark purple with few signs of age. The wine has a medicine cabinet aroma mixed with barnyard and blackberry. A very complex palate with notes of dark berries mingling with cassis, herbal notes and a strong element of eucalyptus/menthol. Strong tannins remain but the remaining fruit is equal to it. Full body and long finish. Good but unusual and not as enjoyable as expected.
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5/27/2017 - davidandrose wrote: 93 Points
Opened and not decantd, followed over 90 minutes. Earthy notes of forest floor, Pine, and cigar. Dark red fruit, Bing cherries, still amazing depth and layering for a wind of its age.
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5/16/2017 - Nanda wrote: 91 Points
Dunn Howell Mountain Vertical B-day Dinner (Maple & Ash): A more subdued nose here with less fruit intensity and as a result the menthol, tobacco, dust and herb notes really pop. On the palate the tannins are more or less resolved and this drinks more smooth/slick than all of the other wines tonight. Enjoyable and very good on its own, but a laggard in the context of the other 9 Dunn HMs tonight.
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5/16/2017 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
Dunn Howell Mountain vertical (Chicago, IL): This was the runt of the first flight; showing a lot more red-fruited and lighter than the opulent 1996 and 2001. Here, thanks to the slightly receded fruit, the dustiness and menthol show much more clearly. The acidity here is also much more prominent.
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4/18/2017 - jonnyoro wrote: 95 Points
Crumbly cork but wine not impacted. I didn't decant but really should've...classic Dunn HM. Brambleberry dusty nose, dark in color, big dark fruit, blackberry, black tart cherry, a little touch of granite/stone, full bodied, complete with BIG sweet tannins and an ultra long mouthwatering finish. Like any of these wines, its youthfulness belies nothing of it's age. At 18 years old, it's a youngster. Enjoyable, savory, tasty but if you drank it 10'years from now, you'd be happy too. Perfect with a dry rubbed grilled tri tip...
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4/17/2017 - hrazdiiv Likes this wine: 94 Points
This winemaker is quietly and steadily producing some of the best cabernet in California. Seeing this come out of the bottle, the dark purple belied almost no bricking, giving it a youthful appearance. The nose is medium in its complexity, some earthier elements of graphite, tar give way to an earnest backbone of fruit that very capably brings it all together in an amazing 30 second+ finish. I will hijack one of the previous comments because it's so good, basically saying this is a big wine not because it's a fruit bomb but because of its inherent muscularity. A spot on assessment, and one of the reasons I think it has at least 10 years left at this point. I'd take this over a some cult wine-of-the-moment any day.
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3/30/2017 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Score reflects the wine before it fell apart after five hours. Started out a bit thin with bright red fruit and elevated acidity. Definite bell pepper on nose and palate. Then it deepened and added cassis and complexity. Tannins were fine and supportive with a long finish that showed tobacco and earth. At about five hours it started falling apart. Turning green and acidic. Wonderful during hours 2-4.
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2/24/2017 - JKelly05 Likes this wine:
Dark core, slight rim variation, dark ruby, opaque.
Still looks youthful for the age.
Dark cherry, green herbs, vanilla, cedar plank, rustic must.
Med body, a bit thin on the mid and the finish. Fruit up front, tannins and mountain muscle have softened. Much more soft, floral, fruit and elegance than i was expecting. Good amount of acid. More valley floor than mountain. Softer and light with a nice rip of acid.
Wine is very green, green bell pepper, green herbs, sage, mint. Dark black cherrries, dark chocolate.
Lots of sediment.
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1/1/2017 - Rezy13 Likes this wine: 93 Points
2017 New Year's Day Tasting (Marietta, GA): Dark core with maroon rim; youthful fruit, tangy, juicy, some green pepper, chocolate, mushroom, smoke, herbs; ash, fine tannin, Bordeaux, fleshy, fine tannin, good acid; delicious; fooled everyone; still young.
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12/25/2016 - pepmi wrote: 92 Points
This is a big wine, not in the fruit bomb sense but in its inherent muscularity. Drinking at its prime in my opinion. A heady, purple- magenta, nearly opaque at the center. Grape on the vine aromas. Thick and unctuous, reminiscent of stolen barrel samples from a wine thief. Chewy in the mouth, less about fruit and more about wood, tannins and power. This is not a delicate or elegant wine but offers much enjoyment. Surprisingly on the lower end of the alcohol range, one won't get dizzy after the first glass. There are plenty of beautifully drinking California cabernets from the '90's accessible at auction for reasonable pricing. This is just one example from one of the finest producers.
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11/24/2016 - Grenik Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wine is improving each time I taste it. Deep purple color with minimal signs of age. Nose has some sweet pepper, boysenberry, vanilla, and pine. The palate is wonderfully expressive and it changes throughout the bottle. I decanted it and left it for a couple hours before tasting. Blueberry, cedar, pine, metallic and mineral support, fresh tilled soil. Hold onto well stored bottles, they are getting better.
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11/19/2016 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Red/black cherries with that typical eucalyptus core throughout with some earth, mint, and subtle chocolate notes. Nice long finish, drinking very well right now.
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11/5/2016 - kkleg Likes this wine: 88 Points
Cherry, cedar, and eucalyptus on the nose. The palate is a bit short, but the cherries and cedar dominate. Short finish. Surprisingly light for a Dunn this old. Drink up because this will only get softer with more age. Eh.
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10/16/2016 - efeldhake@yahoo.com Likes this wine: 89 Points
Garnet in color with brick edge. Nose of stewed strawberries and hint of leather and barnyard. Tastes of cherries, moca, and hint of mushrooms. Thinner than expected and past prime. Not holding up the way the 97 did. Tasted from magnum. Drink up.
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10/9/2016 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking very well after pop and pour. Lighter style Dunn, very accessible.
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4/23/2016 - Sonoma Duck Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really excellent, perfect cork. A bit of cedar and dark mountain fruit. Much of the tannins have dropped away. I have one left and will drink it within a year.
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3/26/2016 - WineCellarTV Likes this wine: 93 Points
1999 Howell Mountain is a focused wine of barnyard, mushrooms, chocolate, coolness of herbs, little iodine and with dark fruit more in the background.
Finely-grained tannins with nice juice and fine acidity make the wine fresh and very drinkable. Fresh herbs and some green notes support the overall fresh and almost ethereal appearance of this wine.
Finishes long with dark fruit, mint and herbal spiciness.
A very fresh and special Howell Mountain.
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3/20/2016 - mike l. Likes this wine: 90 Points
Assertive and tasty but not particularly complex.
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1/25/2016 - Kyle_Stewart wrote:
I cannot rate this wine, must have been a bad bottle. Received from winebid, 01/16, tasted like sweet tarts and mushrooms w no finish and no oak. No vinegar taste however which was weird. How disappointing as this was my first experience w Dunn HM
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1/17/2016 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 93 Points
Magnum, not decanted and only aired for 45 mins. Notes well after-the-fact but classic Dunn style with the down-played fruit and tannin rarely found in todays call-cabs. Sweet red cherry, muted fruit, dusty tannins. Real treat in the heart of its drinking window.
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12/1/2015 - Grenik Likes this wine: 95 Points
Developing quite nicely. Color is still very dark and purple with little visual signs of age. A little sweet spice on the nose along with blackberries. Palate is very complex with each taste revealing something new. It is a cool palate with some minerality and metallic undertones, but the blue fruit has integrated very well with all of the secondary notes. Still a lot of structure in the back end with a slightly sweet lingering finish. Still feels youthful, and I think there will be more improvement over the next 7 years. No rush to drink well stored bottles.
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11/7/2015 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 93 Points
At Brix. Fantastic - see previous note. Drinking well now but will last for several more years.
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10/1/2015 - Grenik Likes this wine: 94 Points
Color is very dark purple with only a minimal lightening on the rim of the glass. Nose is sweet blueberries and sandlewood. The palate is blue and cool in feel with gunmetal and tobacco. Bright blue fruit (for the age) has integrated very well and the balance is very nice. Feels quite youthful. This is an old world style wine. The wine will probably last another 15 years.
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8/12/2015 - Grenik Likes this wine: 94 Points
No formal notes taken. Noted a cool and blue feel to the wine. Mineral driven, Old World style. Well balanced and young feeling.
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5/25/2015 - jsebiri wrote:
Excellent bottle of aged Cali cab beneath that chemical taste . The cab came through more this time then the last 2 times . Sometimes with wine u need to take the good with the bad . This was one of those situations .
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12/25/2014 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep dark red center, red rim with some signs of age.
Cassis, graphite, stewed cherries, black olives, mint, touch of eucalyptus, smoked bacon, rich.
Smooth, almost sweet, still some primary red fruit, blackcurrant and blackberry, good acidity and tannin, toasted oak, red plums, mint, greenness, fantastic minute long finish of tart cherries and black plums.
Great old world style Howell Mnt Cab, such complexity, drinks well now, but will last another 5 years no problem.
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12/21/2014 - MLipton wrote:
Amazingly open for a Dunn Howell Mtn at this tender young age. Sill primary, with red and black fruit and fine-grained tannins. Very well balanced with a fine future ahead of it.
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10/6/2014 - Purple Tooth wrote: 94 Points
Strong backboned gent from a great vintage, this wine is at the peak of its primary stage (for you California Lovers) and has the fruit and the tannin framework to withstand a long secondary evolution (For you Bordeaux Lovers) period of 10 years or more.
Now, its bright, polished and jubilant. The perfume is vibrant and showy of red fruit and ground coffee, followed by flavors of red fruit, cocoa, and cedar. The finish is bright red and energetically long.
I would drink 1/2 my stash over next 3 years, and stash the other half for 10 years. I know, I know...who can wait?
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8/2/2014 - Robert Pavlovich wrote:
Slightly medicinal, almost VA but just a bit more acidic than it should be. Seemed to have some decent underlying red fruit underneath the acid and damp, green notes. Like slightly under ripe tomato. Finished with medium length and intensity. Served blind next to a '99 Ridge, which was much more open and giving. The grapes were probably just picked very early, but the excess acid had us wondering what wine making techniques may have been used here. Always the chance it may improve with time, however.
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8/1/2014 - NathanT wrote: 93 Points
Tasted with Robert, and had a somewhat contrary opinion about this wine. First, I love that barnyard, damp, ripe fruit aroma that was perhaps contrued as slightly medicinal, which by the way, mellowed out over the course of the tasting. Second, I didn't pick up any green notes that would distract the wine in any way. Third, the fruit that landed on the palate was a mixture of dark fruit and some red fruit, with the dark rich fruit stands out more. Overall, I think this is a really good bottle that was very enjoyable.
When compared this to the '99 Ridge Monte Bello, which was tasted side by side, the red fruit dominated in the Ridge and the aroma in the ridge was not giving off that barnyard, damp, ripe fruit to the senses. Each of of these bottles has its own individuality and I love them for their differences. Both were extremely well made and I would love to sit with either one for the whole night if I can.
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8/1/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 94 Points
Stood out in a mighty line up (Scarecrow, Colgin, Pegau, Paul Hobbs, etc) for its almost perfect balance. Past any exuberant fruit phase, this showed earth and leather in equal parts with currant and plum. Drink right now.
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7/29/2014 - JimN wrote: 89 Points
Screaming Eagle Showdown (Yellow Springs Inn): Part of a blind tasting of 1999 US Cabernets. I had this rated higher the first time through. Seemed to fade as the evening wore on. Most other tasters had this rated much higher. Noticeable barnyard nose, rich fruit on the palate, with tannins very much in evidence. Might be early for this wine, given the tannic structure and the reputation of the producer. Hold.
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7/29/2014 - PSUSteve wrote: 92 Points
Served blind. Decanted for 75 minutes and drank over the next two to three hours. Didn't write down many notes. Dark fruit and still tannic early on.
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7/26/2014 - TRS-Wine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent right now. Solid fruit and tannin has softened significantly. Probably can cellar for 5 more years or more, but for me, I like it now - especially with grilled beef. Opened and decanted for 2+ hours.
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7/11/2014 - Margauxguy wrote: 93 Points
Really delightful, structured, but open, ripe, good fruit
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5/31/2014 - beatles Likes this wine: 95 Points
An evening with Ib B (Frederiksberg): MG. Marvelous cab, still painfully young, especially from mg (took 3 days to really open); blackberries galore, tannins only slowly dissolving, a core of sweetness, but the main impression is the coolness and the minerality of the mountain cab. Stunning. Kudos to Dunn – as always. 95+. (Provenance: RL)
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5/30/2014 - shutto1992@gmail.com Likes this wine: 98 Points
Tasted blind and all 12 in our wine club thought this was a high end bordeaux. Earthy, dark fruit, coffee, with tremendous finish. Drinking perfectly now.
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3/29/2014 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted and allowed to breathe for 90 mins, then followed over 2 hours. Sampled in both Somm Series and classic Reidl Vinum stems, the wine was far smoother and bordeaux-styled in the Somm stems, where the vinum's showed a more youthful side of the wine, at times rough with an alcohol burn that was never present in the Somm's. Modest bricking on the edges, this throws off aromas of leather, moist forest floor, allspice, and old wooden barrel. Medium weight shows some fine-grained but rough-edged tannins, mature dark fruit, and aged oak. Classic Dunn profile has the nose and approach of a bordeaux, but still shows show new world traits. In a good place, very drinkable.
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2/28/2014 - rickym13 wrote: 91 Points
still very young with gripping tannin...opened up after hour...won't touch my last bottle for 5 yrs
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2/4/2014 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
More open that I had anticipated. Still needs time however. Good fruit and tangy acidity are in balance. A strong note of pencil shavings on the palate. Note present individually and still need time to integrate. Will try the next bottle no sooner than 2017.
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12/31/2013 - Flesh wrote: 89 Points
I waited seemingly forever for this wine to mature, and it had a short window, but now it might be a little past it's prime. It still has great color and nice legs, but is a little light on the palate.
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12/12/2013 - ToddR911 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Initially a little green but it opened up in an hour. Some nice cherry flavors. Went great with our steak dinner.
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11/15/2013 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 94 Points
Just a perfect cabernet for steak. Great full bodied flavor, tannic and balanced with lasting fruit on the back palate.
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11/10/2013 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not your typical Dunn Howell. First of all, I'm drinking this one now, at its peak with only 30 minutes of air time, and long before I'll finish my early 90's Dunn Howells. More cassis, spice and sweet Oak than your typical Howell. Still the beautiful black fruits are layered and provide a solid 20+ second finish.
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9/27/2013 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
This opaque ruby/red wine was tasted in double-blind fashion. With a youthful nose of cassis, graphite, bramble fruits and cedar, it follows with a fresh, full-bodied palate. The ample tannins are somewhat rustic, while the alcohol (listed as 13.3%) is nicely integrated. Black fruit dominates the flavor profile and persists throughout a solid middle palate. The finish is lengthy, albeit slightly astringent. This well-made Cabernet will benefit from further time in the cellar. Drink 2015-2025.
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9/6/2013 - Winepop7 Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is drinking perfectly now. Just had a bottle of 1994 as well and the '99 was significantly better on all counts. Very Bordeaux like - earthy, leather balanced nicely with ripe fruit. Great from top to bottom. Decant for 60 minutes+.
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8/30/2013 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 94 Points
Drinking very well -- amazing moutian fruit with that dry earthiness you want and dried berry fruits. great with steak
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8/27/2013 - awineo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Did a vertical vs. 1987 which I already rated at 92.
Both were good. The 1999 was right in the drinking window.
Big fruit and solid tannins.
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8/24/2013 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine: 93 Points
Two Bottle Vertical at the Lake (Bob and Anita's Place on Lake Wylie): This is in a great drinking window now IMO. We all got a lot of leather (Bob jokingly commented that he specifically got notes of "Argentinian Saddle Leather" whatever the hell that is!) This was better to me than the '87. Had more life, fruits not faded as much and did not have the funky old earth component. Blueberry and cherry with a little minerality. Medium.
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5/9/2013 - rwstorer wrote: 94 Points
- Ruby color with medium forming legs and aromas of black currant, cherry, fig, violet and cedar. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of black currant, cherry and dusty with a medium body. Smooth texture with a medium finish - Popped and poured but drunk over 2 hours. Very Bordeaux like and completely enjoyable. This kept getting better and better in the glass. We loved this wine.
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2/23/2013 - Flesh wrote: 92 Points
I've been drinking a bottle of this vintage about every two years and it has never been quite ready until now. It has finally aged into a full bodied smooth cab. Fantastic.
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2/21/2013 - cabber wrote: flawed
Aged California Cabernet Tasting (Manhattan Beach, CA): Bretty, maybe corked. Some in our group liked its earthiness, but it didn't taste like typical Dunn Howell to me.
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2/1/2013 - JGP1985 wrote:
- Garnet color with medium forming legs and aromas of bell pepper and blackberry. It's balanced and has flavours of blackberry with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish.
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1/29/2013 - jjtim Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very bordeaux like style with gripping finish, and graphite notes. Smooth balanced acidity throughout. Very complex. Not jammy at all.
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1/26/2013 - MC2 Wines wrote: 89 Points
(Dunn Tasting Dinner, NY Vintners) - started with deep red fruits, moves almost bitter, ends with another burst of the fruit and strong tannins.
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12/30/2012 - n2wine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for a few hours. This wine reminds me of Bordeaux. A little musty with a scent of green olives. Very smooth with light tannins. I get floral and pencil lead flavors.
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12/25/2012 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine: 93 Points
From magnum. Decanted 3 hours at cellar temp. This wine is in a good place right now. And although I think it can go longer, I would recommend drinking in next 5 years. Deep dark red in the glass, this was VERY smooth with the mellowed tannins matching the soft fruit flavors. To me, Dunn cabs always have a more mellowed fruit profile (even young) which is why long term cellaring helps as it allows the tannins to lay down to match this more muted fruit profile. This is not your quintessential Big Cali Cab. It is much more subtle and requires time on the tongue to coax the complexities to reveal themselves. Medium long finish. Very nice.
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11/20/2012 - bluepeter2020@outlook.com wrote:
Drank at Mom & Dad's 60th anniversary at the Hotel Del
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11/18/2012 - GEDC wrote: 91 Points
From Mag nice wine, nothing special Bordeaux like style.
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10/28/2012 - davidandrose wrote: 93 Points
Decanted and allowed to rest for an hour before being consumed over 2.5 hours. Still retains a dark purple coloring throughout. Bordeaux-like bouquet muted fruit, earth, old wine barrel and a vague hint of green olive. Profile is medium in weight with dark fruits well-balanced against rich tannins. Cigar, more dark fruit, and bramble round out the flavors. A really enjoyable bottle that has several very good years still ahead of it.
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8/19/2012 - ccplaza wrote: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully
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7/15/2012 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 92 Points
This deep-to-opaque ruby wine, purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion, was double-decanted prior to presentation at a walk-around wine and food event. The wine was allowed two hours in decanter prior to funneling back into the cleaned bottle. This wine requires significant aeration (after decanting off its sediment, Vinturi aeration was added prior to the funneling process). The nose ultimately opens to show aromas of cassis, bramble fruits, minerals and cedar. Full-bodied on the palate, with medium-to-high acidity, big chewy tannins and well-integrated alcohol (listed as 13.3%). The flavors are black fruit-dominated and the middle palate is not lacking in depth. Long, albeit slightly astringent finish. This is quintessential Randy Dunn...give it some time for maximal pleasure. Drink 1/15-12/25.
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5/9/2012 - awineo Likes this wine: 95 Points
This bottle was really great. The fruit was up front but it had big tannins to balance it. A HUGE bottle.
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2/28/2012 - Fatty Cat wrote: 91 Points
Late Feb 2012, Dunn tasting (with Randy Dunn present) at the Rheingau Gourmet Festival: bottle opened approx. 75 min. before tasting, bottle to decanter back to bottle decanted, 15 min. before consumption poured into the glass (sommelier information); crimson color; started with restrained sulfur notes, after a few moments red berries, chocolate, mint, leather, horse and some barnyard; medium body; round texture.
Had the impression the 1999 Dunn Howell Mountain is close to another metamorphosis to become a fully mature Cabernet Sauvignon.
Flight I: 2007 - 2005 - 2003 - 2001 - 1999
Randy Dunn information: approx. 450 cases/year, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 80-85% Nevers oak.
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2/28/2012 - mwanasheria wrote: 90 Points
Dunn Howell Mountain Tasting (Eltville, Germany): Typical cool blueberry notes, cassis, but a bit too much game for my liking. Not sure whether that bottle was quite right.
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12/31/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 74 Points
musty
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12/17/2011 - jsebiri wrote:
another bottle that had a very off-putting funk/man-made chemical taste......some of it blew off after an hour , but it was still there until the bottle was gone( 2 hours later ) .....a shame because this bottle in particular had a very very nice cabernet beneath whatever THAT was........
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11/13/2011 - drogers wrote:
One of the most disappointing wines I have ever opened. Tasted like iodine two hours after decanting. Don't know whether to flush the other five bottles in my cellar down the toilet or send them back to the winery
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11/5/2011 - TRS-Wine wrote: 92 Points
really good - solid fruit and tannin in check - it paired well with grilled steak - not close to being over the hill
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10/9/2011 - jsebiri wrote:
not good , took 2 days of airing to get funk and mettalice taste out of the wine.....at that point the wine was not really that enjoyable......
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9/3/2011 - audicfa wrote: 92 Points
Day 1 - Popped and poured. I really want to like this wine because I think it's great what Dunn Vineyards is trying to achieve. There is lack of the traditional spicy California cab fruit in this one. Day 2 and it is opening up nicely. On the nose, menthol, matchbox, burnt logs, musty old house, wet concrete, ozone ( smell just before it rains). On the palette, mouth coating with some nice but not big fruit in the middle. A solid 30 second finish with some tannin but not overwhelming. A fascinating wine. I understand 99 was a tough vintage. I've had the 94 Napa Valley and the 04 Howell Mountain with both exhibiting a touch more ripe fruit. I have 05, 06 and 07 Howell Mountain on order and am looking forward to experiencing them with some friends!
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7/27/2011 - Yamadori wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 2 hours, rebottled andd followed over a further 3 hours. Hugely aromatic nose of blackberry, eucalyptus and anise with a touch of earthiness. Full bodied with lots of up front blackberry, blueberry and plum. Very nice balance and acidity and on the mid palate this wine shows its' mountain terroir with nice chalky minerality and earthiness. The finish was only moderate with smooth tannins. Very enjoyable wine which is drinking well right now. This was beginning to fade a little towards the end so i am not sure how much longer it will remain at this level. May not need quite as long in the decanter as i gave it.
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6/25/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 96 Points
a wow
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6/3/2011 - ccplaza wrote: 91 Points
Nicely mature, drinking well
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3/15/2011 - elbosco wrote: 92 Points
Still plenty fresh. Tart red fruit. Tannins in check. Not terribly complex. Could go another decade but don't see much room for development.
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1/3/2011 - mimik wrote: 93 Points
Very intriguing wine. Dark red with no signs of aging, a complex nose of bell pepper, licorice, huge iodine scents and hints of mint. The palate was a replay of the nose with fairly grainy tannins but a good core of acidity that kept this wine fresh and in need of food. Good expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and a little bordeaux like in terms of profile. Medium long finish.
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12/23/2010 - hfindlay wrote:
This wine struck a perfect balance between the structure and freshness of a French Bordeaux and the fruitiness of a Napa cab. Very noticeable dark color. Big, tannic elements from the mountain source, plus lots of blackberry fruit. We drank it after Christmas Eve dinner and were amazed by the graphite, berry, plum, and just the right cedar notes.
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11/27/2010 - jbaron wrote: 93 Points
Very nice - seems a bit aged for an "only 11 year old Dunn HM" but what the heck - it's mostly resolved and lush and still quite fruity. Ready to finish the stash, I think.
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8/7/2010 - wildedge Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very drinkable now, but also could have waited another year or two for sure. Had a leathery nose with solid blackberries and also with a touch of earthy must undertones. Extremely well balanced and complex. Will buy more in the future.
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7/15/2010 - gutt22 wrote:
13.3% alcohol. This is such a baby of a wine. Decanted. Very dark red color. Initially, very tightly wound. With a couple hours' air, it really began to open up. It's a stunningly good wine, as one would expect. Pure, focused, and tremendously concentrated black fruit on the nose, with distinct graphite and tobacco notes, along with earth and minerals. In the mouth, tight but an awfully beautiful wine. The laser-like precision of the flavors ends up exploding in a panoply of black fruit, earth, and minerals that would make a Fourth of July fireworks display proud. Huge tannins on the finish that are surprisingly refined. This will go another decade easily before it starts to show its fully marvelous qualities. A
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5/23/2010 - Jaqiboy wrote: 91 Points
Dark red in the glass. Notes of cedary oak, cassis, eucalyptus and blueberries. Slightly tart but not overtly tannic for a young Dunn Howell Mountain.
Good backbone, nice mouthfeel still slightly young with some slightly tart tannins in the 20 second or so finish to overcome. Re-examine in 2 years, it should drink well.
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5/23/2010 - Serge Birbrair wrote:
dejavu 2 years later, different bottle from different store, same seaweed and horse' urine.
I'll never know what went wrong and what exactly happened at the winery. Probably some space aliens used the barrels to hatch their youngsters or red cross used them to store iodine or fishermen used them to pickle herring.
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5/1/2010 - Highlander wrote:
Still too tannic. I wonder if this wine will ever be drinkable....like many of the other vintages Randy has to offer. As usual, great clarity and purity, excellent berry and cherry fruits, but overwhelming tannins...Wait another two years before trying again.
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5/1/2010 - markjanes wrote: 90 Points
Very consistent notes on this wine... it will last a very long time and is essentially still where it was last time I tasted it... distinctive and quite good.
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4/19/2010 - michael47 wrote: 93 Points
Dark garnet red with no fading on the rim. Rich tarry current nose, with a touch of eucalyptus. Striking mouthful of rich smooth fruit with still fairly bracing tannins given the age. Quite delicious and it will get better for a fe more years.
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12/24/2009 - mojotojo wrote: 92 Points
Evolving nicely for a Dunn. Decanted 1 hour and drank over 2 more. Tannins are firm, but well-integrated. Good solid backbone. Nose of black cherries and cassis, wrapped in glove leather, cedar, smoke and eucalyptus leaves. Delivers black fruit, cassis, spices and minerals on the finish, with a fine Howell Mountain brambliness. This wine is entering a nice period of "drinkability" and will last for at least a decade (or two..)
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11/15/2009 - markjanes wrote: 89 Points
Dark color, slightly hazy. Rim is ruby, extraction moderate. Very distinctive on the nose with primary fruit notes dominating... loads of dark fruits, raspberry, bilberry... has a definite vegetal edge to the fruits. Good minerality with a very pronounced and very distinctively Dunn ground up Flinstone vitamin kind of thing... some distant new oak barrique spice in there. On the palate very high acidity, a very typically cabernet midpalate, a smooth transitioin into a moderately tannic finish (the tannins are barely ripe but still quite integrated and feel more polymerized than I would suspect), low alcohol. Defintely balanced wine, good length, very good intensity and complexity. Certainly finesse in there... appropriately firm texture, is way more Dunn than Napa cabernet to me. A fascinating wine in a number of ways... still has a decade or two of life... excellent stuff for sure and a style that I think more Napa cab producers should emulate.
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9/25/2009 - brich wrote: 92 Points
Sommelier decanted for about 20 minutes. This is classic Dunn and as such is just entering its drinking window. That said, it is absolutely delicious. Earthy and delicate with hints of coffee, and berries it is totally balanced and has no tannic finish. It will undoubtedly get better, but was thoroughly enjoyable.
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1/24/2009 - bigdogflow wrote: 92 Points
Dinner at Godai Sushi (4 Cabs and a Pinot) (Godai Sushi, San Antonio, TX): Popped and poured. Wonderful dark fruit taste, with some tobacco. Really nice finish.
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11/6/2008 - sonakul_t wrote: 90 Points
powerful nose
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10/23/2008 - Cheryl wrote:
Matriarch, Dunn, Insignia, Dominus, Shafer and My First WOTN! (Skinner's Loft, Jersey City, NJ): Opened 13 hours before the dinner (but not decanted, I presume). I didn't enjoy this. It's drinkable, of course, but that's about it. Eucalyptus right out of the bottle, not particularly full-bodied. After one hour, I've made my final determination - it's a bit green.
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10/11/2008 - Phin wrote: 92 Points
Far more approachable than the 92 I had a while back. Black fruits. Even and smooth but the fruit is tar and tobacco without any red/blue.
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9/14/2008 - Highlander wrote:
Decanted for over an hour. This wine shows great fruit (Black cherry and blackberry) but still slightly off balance from the tannins. I would wait another few years to enjoy this as the last glass was no different from the first, leading me to believe that time is needed. Color was perfect, crisp and clear. The finish lasted a long time but was drowned out by the tannins which stayed on the palate for many minutes after the fruit was gone. This will be an excellent wine in time.
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6/1/2008 - ginfizz wrote: 93 Points
Just entering its drinking window, with telltale nose of herbs and red currant, with a touch of brett, medium to full bodied with perfect balance and tannins to last another 15 to 20 years. What I appreciate in these Dunn wines is the wonderful viscous texture that they aquire as their tannins break down. This is showing well at an early stage...the 97 is still hard as nails. Drink with decanting, or hold.
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5/25/2008 - Serge Birbrair wrote:
I can't figure out this one. My first impression was: Iodine. Second impression: something fishy. As the time went by it turned into "clam chowder" and than to "sea weed". Will open another bottle in few years just to see if this one was an off bottle or
few dry fishes were thrown in a barrel just to confuse me.
After reading other notes, I am afraid I'll have to give this one to somebody as a gift. If you get it from me, make no mistakes, I hate your guts!
If Borat was rating this wine, he'd probably say:
"In US and A very rich people like to drink wine. It is like a Kazahi wine but not made from the fermented horse's urine"
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5/18/2008 - jamscreator wrote: 87 Points
Dark red in the glass looking quite lovely. Very fruit forward with several berries fighting for first billing. Lots of cherry and strawberry on the palate with sweet tobacco, spice and some faint smoke. Tannic as hell. Tasted over a 90 minute period and it just didn't seem to calm down. Was expecting more, but still rating based on this experience alone and not what I wanted it to be.
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1/27/2008 - davergny wrote: 93 Points
(Drank with 2001 Lewelling Wight Cabernet at Bistro du Village) Fresh and ripe on the nose, with berries, cassis, tobaccco leaf and a pleasant funkiness. More tannic and with less weight than the Lewelling. Chocolate cherries, earthy, a great finish. very Bordeaux-like. Drinking well, but could possibly use a few more years to ease the tannins. I like this better than the Lewelling, went well with the beef stew.
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11/24/2007 - jbaron wrote: 90 Points
Tonight - marked down for simplicity. A good wine with a decent nose and a decent, but slightly thin, mouth. The length is good, but again, rather fruity-simple. We enjoyed this bottle, but it's hard to imagine that it's really going to draw out any more than it already is.
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6/3/2007 - King Cab wrote: 91 Points
Wonderful deep crimson color with purple tinged edges. The nose was restrained with some dark cherries and currant, while showing a little ripeness. Upon entering the mouth this wine was beautifully integrated with some secondary notes of tar and cedar. All the dark fruits were present. A great seamless tannin level had delivered this nicely to age 8. A smooth even finish completed the package. This had shown very nicely considering the reputation Dunn Howell has received for being a 20 year wine.
Enjoy one if you have any.
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4/27/2007 - DarkStar1974 wrote: 94 Points
showed very well for what i consider a young dunn. chewy tannins, oak, blackberries.
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4/24/2007 - jonnyoro wrote:
mmmmm. yummy- very thick, tannic, dark purple and young- lots of cherry and black fruit, soy and cassis. Very drinkable but it will last for a good long time- very ripe for a dunn howell mtn but also very structured as one would expect- a great mouthful of mountain cab with searing tannins and a long finish- it's a baby but goes great with marinated, grilled skirt steak.
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12/30/2006 - AZ Wine Lover wrote: 95 Points
Very Good, took to Jim and Karens for Chrismas 06
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10/25/2006 - mmyette wrote: 90 Points
Good, I expected more, but the flavors were ripe, the finish moderately long, and the oak was well integrated, with ultrafine tannins. On the cusp of outstanding, but for the money, I have had better.
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7/11/2006 - brianofthevine wrote: 92 Points
Much better this time around. Dark cherries with eucalyptus notes, smooth tannnins, long finish.
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4/6/2006 - jbaron wrote: 92 Points
I'm sure that I've "over-rated" this wine, but I liked it - a lot. I think that this wine is a good example of a wine actually getting to where it's going in a reasonable amount of time. Hard to believe, but after two hours of air, the tannins had somewhat disappated and left behind a wine that, to me, is quite well balanced. There's a bit of acid (on top of the tannins), a good length, a good (not great, but good) midpalate, and good fruit.
If anything, I'd mark this wine down on the simplicity of the fruit. That could be because the wine is young for a Dunn HM, but I'm not sure that there's enough "stuffing" to carry this one into the realm of "great wines" (where great is, of course, 93 points or more!!!) The fruit is good (black cherry? some oak, some earth) with a bit of a vegetative hint that's a tiny bit offputting, but just a tiny bit. The length is good, and the overall "feel" of this wine is one that's a pleasure to drink. It's not an intellectual pleasure, but it's a pleasure nonetheless.
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7/24/2005 - mswen wrote: 91 Points
I've been on the list there since the 1998 vintage (bad timing since 2 of first three vintages were not stellar). Just received my invoice for the '02 so I decided to open the '99 to gove me a taste of what awaits me in the future. Decanted 4 hours prior. Immediate primary nose of raspberry after opening the wax seal and cork. The bottle is in pristine condition and this really speaks well for sourcing wines direct from the producer.
Wine is not heavy although it is thick in the glass. Nose of black cherry with hints of spice box. On the palate there is excellent balance before the wall of tannins hits. The tannins are not harsh but still very apparent at this stage. Still very primary. Needs 5 years minimum to resolve the tannins I would guess. Wine was exciting enough to continue to purchase future vintages.
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1/1/2004 - winefool wrote: 93 Points
Bright purple red. Medium aromas of red fruit and briar. Forward red fruit against a round but firm tannic backbone along with some coffee notes on the finish. Drinking very well but has a long life ahead of it. 1/04
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7/19/2003 - brianofthevine wrote: 88 Points
Very tight. Mint, eucalyptus flavor with tart red cherries. Need to sit.
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4/4/2003 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 93 Points
Tasted from the wine bar at Vintage Wines, Ltd. The bottle being tasted was freshly opened and the glass was sampled over a period of 2 hours. Opaque black/purple with purple rim. Clean nose, showing intense chocolate, currants, cassis and bramble aromas. Full-bodied and well-structured on the palate, with ample sweet tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Long finish. Very nice wine which should develop well over the next several years.
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