November 5, 2023 - This was far more approachable than I expected. Pnp, slow ox in the glass over the course of the evening. Well balanced, refined tannins, fresh fruit! Very lovely …
August 19, 2023 - Nose: Herbal and earthy, dense violets, not a lot of fruit (which I enjoy). Palate: Creme de cassis that's paired nicely with light oak treatment; thick and chewy tannins; sweet cassis liqueur endures through the finish (55% Howell Mountain, 45% Coombsville).
January 25, 2023 - First time with this cuvée after a couple of unreal experiences with the 2014 Dunn HM (my fave cab ever, even at an early stage.) To my great delight, this really was just a miniaturized version of that, with a very similar complex flavor profile, just a bit thinner and less potently expressive. The HM might represent better QPR since it isn't wildly more expensive, but still wow.
High and tight on the nose but multifaceted with plenty of black cherry compote, blackberry pie, freshly sharpened no. 2 pencil, the wood section at Home Depot, red and black licorice, leather, leavender, iron, and pine. It's pretty wild that the fruit takes center stage even with the many earthy shades, and even more amazing that it's not "green" at all, which I'm very sensitive to and rarely enjoy.
Pretty much the same on the palate, a burst of black cherry and sweet coffee, plenty of fresh/crisp blackberry acidity, and echoes of woodsy oak in the long finish, where the dense, dusty tannins linger on. It could age for a hell of a long time, probably nearly as long as the HM, but for my palate this was delicious right away. A little demanding and structured, but also very easy to love. A very rare example of nuance and power effectively combined, for me, and I might be underrating it (it could improve very easily in the short term, at least.)
December 6, 2022 - Similar to my prior note. Remarkably dark and deep and alluring. Prominent but polished tannins. 91+ Tasted at Heinen's.
October 19, 2022 - Potent flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum preserves. Some savory notes like anise and sage. Medium acidity but prominent muscular tannins. Expect it to improve with time. Paradoxically both dark but enticing.
August 24, 2022 - Significantly more approachable than the 17 HM. Still pretty full of tannin but they come off as more polished here. Ripe, almost wizened fruits and to my palate this is an early drinker.
January 6, 2022 - Ripe black fruit, deep dark color. Well structured body of tannin and acid on the mid-palate and finish. Nuanced oak which is present but not overbearing. Looking forward to how well this ages over the next few decades.