Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Red Wine

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 

Napa Valley AVA, CA

750 ml

98 pts. James Suckling:

"Robust and brooding aromas of mulberry bush, violets, cedar, cocoa and graphite. The palate is full-bodied with refined tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of blackcurrants, spices, tobacco leaves and crushed river stones. Very bold and generous, with a refined structure that will age gracefully. Drinkable now, but best from 2028. Drink or hold."

98 pts. Jeb Dunnuck:

"A deeper, richer, more powerful wine, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain sports a deep ruby/plum hue to go with a Pauillac-like nose of blackcurrants, scorched earth, graphite, and lead pencil notes. It's full-bodied, incredibly concentrated, has the classic Howell Mountain tannic structure, and a gorgeous finish. Give bottles 7-8 years if you can and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades. 98+"

98 pts. Decanter:

"The colour of the Howell Mountain Cabernet is noticeably darker than the Napa Valley bottling, showcasing an incredibly intense, mineral-driven profile. The tannins have an ironstone-like quality—firm, structured, and reminiscent of that "iron fist in a velvet glove" metaphor. The palate has remarkable density, balanced by a pure, vibrant mix of tart red berries and black cherries. The tannins become more assertive, but as they gradually soften, a rush of juicy blood orange acidity emerges. The wine carries intriguing layers of sagebrush, cedarwood, and warm brown spices, delivering ample power and complexity. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in stainless steel tanks, aged up to 32 months in 100% new French oak. (JC)"

FROM THE WINERY

2021 Howell Mountain encapsulates the stony, crushed rock minerality of the mountain in a powerful yet seductive sip. Just-ripened red and black fruits are framed in their freshness by cooling fennel, rugged bay leaf, and sage. Silky on the palate, the tannins are linear and refined, propelling the wine’s precise, resounding finish. Extraordinarily low yields resulted in a Howell with more finesse and acidity but no less complexity than its predecessors—a wine that will age gracefully and flourish when paired with a panoply of cuisines.