Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

1995 Dunn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

1995 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon

Dunn Vineyards is located east of St. Helena in the town of Angwin on Howell Mountain. The Winery was established in 1979, with the first harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. In 1981, the first release consisted of 660 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Howell Mountain vineyards. In 1982, Dunn released a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dunn is one of the iconic producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. Randy Dunn, to his credit, has held steadfast in how he produces and prices his wines. The wines are exceptionally long-lived and are truly a throwback to a different era in Napa Valley. Recent favorable press from Antonio Galloni of the Wine Advocate has put a well-deserved spotlight back on the winery.

I decanted the wine for about 90 minutes prior to serving. Still purple in color with aromas of cedar and horse saddle that just levitate from the glass. Classic Dunn flavors of chalk, cherries, currants, cassis, plums, pencil, leather, bittersweet chocolate and tobacco. The finish is exceptionally long with firm, drying tannins.

This wine is just beautiful now and more approachable than most of the Dunns I’ve had in recent memory. Drink now or over the next few years.

My rating: 92 points.

You should be able to find current vintages of Dunn Napa Valley at retail for around $80 a bottle.

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