1987 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

1987 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

What a privilege to taste such a wine from a pristine bottle.
Still incredibly youthful, deep, dark color. The complex nose is characterized by cedar, tobacco leaf, red currant, blood, tar, green tea, seaweed and sea salt. Loads of fresh, pure, fruit and "Rhone-like" tannins - still so youthful, demonstrating fantastic concentration and lenght. I believe this is now in an ideal phase to be enjoyed. And it should keep well for another 10-15 years (if perfectly stored).
What a success! Maybe this is the best wine Randy Dunn ever made. - My personal rating: 96/100.

1987 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

What a privilege to taste such a wine from a pristine bottle.
Still incredibly youthful, deep, dark color. The complex nose is characterized by cedar, tobacco leaf, red currant, blood, tar, green tea, seaweed and sea salt. Loads of fresh, pure, fruit and "Rhone-like" tannins - still so youthful, demonstrating fantastic concentration and lenght. I believe this is now in an ideal phase to be enjoyed. And it should keep well for another 10-15 years (if perfectly stored).
What a success! Maybe this is the best wine Randy Dunn ever made. - My personal rating: 96/100.

Yeah, Randy has made some great wines over the years. I'm just about out of the older Howell Mt. Dunns (1,80) (1,82) couple of 86 Napas and a few more out of the 90s Howell and Napa. They took time to come around but they were worth the wait.

What are your opinions of the new school modern vintages, guys?

What are your opinions of the new school modern vintages, guys?

Brian, I confess to not having really tasted Dunns in the last few years. From what I've heard from other geeks is that the wines are pretty much the same. 2010, & 201i vintages are both considered very good if you're a fan of lower alcohol because they were both cool weather vintages.

Great stuff. I landed a few bottles of the 87 Howell Mtn for $90 on auction recently with fills into the neck, and this makes me very glad I did.

I've only had a few Dunns, one sensational 93 HM last year, and one not nearly so good (but still very good). Hope my 87s show like yours.

I have only tasted the 2007-2010 vintages so have no comparison to the old stuff. Where I taste the Dunn is at a yearly tasting held by MacArthur Beverage so I get to compare it to about 30 other wineries pouring at the same event. In that setting it definetly taste old school. I love it but my wife does not so I don't purchase it and only get to taste it very young but I believe it has the stuff to age.

Not part of you question but at that tasting Dunn is generally right next to EMH Blackcat which has become my favorite napa producer and is fighting with Ridge for my favorite US Cabernet. I find the EMH wines more old school than new and while approachable young, my experience with the 2005 indicates that they do improve with short term cellering and I think they will do well over the long term. Prices have already started going up and I think current vintages are only available via the winery (or MacArthur) but I think its worth tracking down.

What are your opinions of the new school modern vintages, guys?

Hi Brian, to be honest, I don't like the Dunn Howell Mountain vintages after 1997 too much. I prefer a combination of unique character, freshness and lightness which I find in Dunn Howell Mountain vintages like 1987, 1996, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1991, 1986 and 1983.

Had the 87 Howell awhile back. Funny thing is that it is readier than the monstrous 1986 is, which is certainly not the case with most other producers.

I have the 93 and 95 drowsing in the cellar, wondering when they might be ready to drink. I think I'll have to subsist on my La Jota Howells until the Dunns come around.

Based on my two bottles over the last year+, the 93 Howell Mtn is ready to go. Recent notes from others who prefer their wine mature indicate that the 90-92 are also drinking great these days.

Brian G:

Interesting note. Have never tried EMH. My only concern is that I don't really like the Whitehall Lane wines (I know Art F had not been involved for some time, but...did the house style change dramatically post-sale?) and definitely did not care for Judd's Hill (thin and sweet, imo).

But...Picket Road is a lot different site climatically than Judd's Hill (as illustrated by my 98 degree bicycle ride on Saturday ), and the winemaker is now different, so... "old school" sounds intriguing.

Sorry Brian but I can't help you there. The last Whitehall Lane I had was from a vintage in the mid 1990s and my taste recall is not that good. I had the Judds Hill from both 2007 and 2008 at the same tasting in 2010 and I noted that they were good for the price but I did not buy and I really can't recall why I thought that now, notes are no help. I did not try again in subsequent years so that appears to confirms that I was not terrible impressed.

Brian G:

Interesting note. Have never tried EMH. My only concern is that I don't really like the Whitehall Lane wines (I know Art F had not been involved for some time, but...did the house style change dramatically post-sale?) and definitely did not care for Judd's Hill (thin and sweet, imo).

But...Picket Road is a lot different site climatically than Judd's Hill (as illustrated by my 98 degree bicycle ride on Saturday ), and the winemaker is now different, so... "old school" sounds intriguing.

Art F. died about a year and a half ago. Art his wife Bunnie and his son Judd have been friends for almost 20 years so for me to write about their wines without prejudice is really not possible. In fact I'll be helping them pour their wines at the annual Napa Wine Library tasting at Silverado Country Club in a few days. One of the beloved families in the valley.

Shoot, Lou. I had forgotten that.

What are your opinions of the new school modern vintages, guys?

Brian, I confess to not having really tasted Dunns in the last few years. From what I've heard from other geeks is that the wines are pretty much the same. 2010, & 201i vintages are both considered very good if you're a fan of lower alcohol because they were both cool weather vintages.

Lou, that leaves the question that if I buy a 2010 today and cellar it. Add 25 years, will I be able to taste it. Interesting point though.

What are your opinions of the new school modern vintages, guys?

Brian, I confess to not having really tasted Dunns in the last few years. From what I've heard from other geeks is that the wines are pretty much the same. 2010, & 201i vintages are both considered very good if you're a fan of lower alcohol because they were both cool weather vintages.

Lou, that leaves the question that if I buy a 2010 today and cellar it. Add 25 years, will I be able to taste it. Interesting point though.

Check an actuary table not a vintage chart.