Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
- Vintage
- 2014
- Country
- USA
- Region
- US-Napa Valley
- Size
- 750ml
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rating
- WA93
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon has a wonderfully compelling, bright, vibrant nose of kirsch, black raspberries and fresh blackcurrants with touches of lavender, bay leaves, pencil shavings, wood smoke and tobacco. The palate is medium to full-bodied, concentrated and packed with vivacious red and black fruit layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long with an enticing herbal lift. Drink: 2018~2033 - WA93
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is an unusually soft wine from Dunn. Aromatically expressive and nuanced, the 2014 offers plenty of immediacy, with attractive red cherry, plum, sweet tobacco, dried flowers and cedar nuances. In 2014, the Napa Valley Cabernet is a blend of equal parts estate fruit and purchased grapes from a site in Coombsville. In many years, the Napa Valley bottling has been a miniature of the Howell Mountain, but in 2014 it is more typical of a true appellation-level Cabernet meant for near to medium-term drinking. - Winemaker's Notes
Dunn Vineyards is a small family-owned estate in Howell Mountain, a sub-appellation within the Napa Valley. Founded in 1979 by Randy Dunn, and still run by him and his son Mike. It has something of a cult reputation and is known for making some of the very best Cabernet Sauvignon in the region.
Only two wines are produced under the Dunn Vineyards banner, both entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon. The first is labeled under the Howell Mountain AVA and offers plenty of fruit-weight and tannic structure.
The other is labeled with the wider Napa Valley appellation, and combines around 85 percent Howell Mountain fruit with the remainder coming from the valley floor. This wine usually shows softer tannins and is approachable at a younger age, although it can still usually be cellared for 15 years or more.
Production is relatively small with around 2500 cases of Howell Mountain and 1500 of the Napa Valley wine produced each year.
The family lands extend to 200 acres (80 hectares), the majority of which is woodland. Some 35 acres (14 hectares) are under vine, in several vineyards dotted throughout the trees. Most of this is Cabernet Sauvignon, although there are a few blocks of Petite Sirah destined for the Retro Cellars label set up by Mike Dunn.
Dunn Vineyards also has a few plots of other grape varieties, although these are not commercially released.- Information from Wine Searcher