"Dunn's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a dark, powerful wine. The 2011 possesses tremendous density and tons of pure power. It is also more savory than most Dunn wines, so readers should expect a fair amount of herbal notes. Grilled herbs, scorched earth, licorice, lavender and strong earthy accents abound. The 2011 remains rich, deep and very young. It is one of the most backward Cabernets I tasted for this report. When the 2011 was young, my impression was that it was relatively open for a Dunn wine, today though, the 2011 is decidedly reticent. Harvest took place between October 27 and November 2, just before the last rains of the season on Howell Mountain." -Vinous
Robert Parker
RP94
"The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, which comes 100% from their estate vineyards, is slightly higher in alcohol at 14.3% (despite the label saying 13.9%). Soft, opaque purple-colored, with a ripe, full-bodied mouthfeel and notes of graphite, spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit, it is full-bodied, luscious, and ideal for drinking over the next 12-15 years." -Robert Parker
Decanter
D95
"It’s important to be discriminating as this was a challenging vintage and the wines are very uneven, but I’m something of a connoisseur of the successful 2011 Napa Cabernets, which boast lovely savoury structure that lends them a rather old-world feel. Mike Dunn is justly proud of his achievement in this year, and it may well be the ‘wine of the vintage’ (Graeme MacDonald’s To Kalon Cabernet is also a contender). An appealing bouquet of cassis, graphite, rich soil and subtle tar is followed by a savoury, deep and sappy palate impression, underpinned by bright acids and refined but abundant tannins. Terrific stuff."
