WTN: Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon 1989

Napa Valley.

Had a hell of a time getting the cork out. Originally, the top half pulled away and the bottom half was so soft and spongy, everytime I got a grip on it in the neck of the bottle, small pieces just pulled away. Eventually, I had to push the bottom quarter of the cork into the bottle which, of course, kept plugging the neck when I attempted to decant.

Dark red in the glass.

Initially, dirty and medicinal notes on the nose. This soon changed to reveal spices, currants and cigar box notes.

Medium weight, dark chocolate, cherry, raspberry, currrants, rather tangy acidity, drying, tarry, earthy, floral, smooth and full in the mouth, red liciorice, cedar, rich and complex, mouthwatering toward the end.

A very long finish: drying and tart initially, but then revealing cherry, raspberry and black licorice.

Overall, the wine was a bit thin and rough at first, smoothed out and opened up quite nicely in the middle and then became thin and tangy toward the end.

A very interesting and enjoyable wine.

Purchased at $44.95 (Canadian).

Thanks for the note Bruce. I have a few bottles of Dunn from the '80s in the cellar but haven't opened one yet! I'm trying to remember the style of '89 in California - not as heralded a vintage as '90, '91, or '92 as I recall? Did you give this enough breathing time to fully develop?

Thanks for the note Bruce. I have a few bottles of Dunn from the '80s in the cellar but haven't opened one yet! I'm trying to remember the style of '89 in California - not as heralded a vintage as '90, '91, or '92 as I recall? Did you give this enough breathing time to fully develop?

No, I didn't give it a lot of breathing time, probably about 10-15 minutes before the meal. Getting the darn cork out of the bottle took away part of the intended breathing time.

[Jenise]

Thanks for the note Bruce. I have a few bottles of Dunn from the '80s in the cellar but haven't opened one yet! I'm trying to remember the style of '89 in California - not as heralded a vintage as '90, '91, or '92 as I recall? Did you give this enough breathing time to fully develop?

Paul, interesting question. Based on older California wines that friends produce from time to time, '89 was not a popular vintage for aging as it just never shows up where 84, 86 and 87 often do.

Thanks for the note Bruce. I have a few bottles of Dunn from the '80s in the cellar but haven't opened one yet! I'm trying to remember the style of '89 in California - not as heralded a vintage as '90, '91, or '92 as I recall? Did you give this enough breathing time to fully develop?

Paul, interesting question. Based on older California wines that friends produce from time to time, '89 was not a popular vintage for aging as it just never shows up where 84, 86 and 87 often do.

I have enjoyed several Dunn's from 1991 and they are all drinking quite nicely now.

[Jenise]

Not surprised, Bruce, some of the best older California wines I've had have been '91s.

Both 88 and 89 were not considered good vintages here in the valley. Of course there are always exceptions. I know I have Dunns going back into the 80s but none from either 88 or 89 because of the reason given above.

Hi Jenise! Long time no talk! You are certainly right about 1991 Cabs - I tried a few of the low-end just-plain-Napa Cabs I had in the cellar recently and was amazed to find them excellent, AND still rather youthful. Like Mondavi Napa, Newton, Frog's Leap Napa, and a couple others I can't recall offhand.