Viader Proprietary Red Blend 2006
- Vintage
- 2006
- Country
- USA
- Region
- US-Napa Valley
- Size
- 750ml
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rating
- WS90
Bordeaux-like in its mix of flavors and structure, offering loamy earth, dried currant and berry, with touches of anise, sage and mineral. Ends with firm, dry tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2010 through 2016. - WS90
The 2006 VIADER Proprietary Cabernet blend is inviting and delicate to the palate with deep purple color and rich bouquet of lavender, Indian spices, bittersweet chocolate and dense dark red fruits. Enveloped in a firm tannin structure the wine shows notes of black pepper, cedar wood and cardamom tones that gracefully intertwine with fully ripened sweet fruit. It finishes with a spark of lingering bittersweet chocolate. Notes of ripe figs, plum and cigar wrap are the main expressions of this wine with some aeration in the glass, after ten or fifteen minutes, it offers floral notes, lavender and again rich spices. This wine has a commanding presence upon opening and requires some patience – 5 to 7 years at least or over an hour decanting – to unveil its complexity and concentration. - 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