2013 Dunn Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley.
Wow, what an awesome wine, this 2013 Dunn Napa Cabernet is close to perfection and is a throw back to the early 1990’s in style, I would say it is a lot like 1992 or 1994, a pure classic in every detail! The Dunn Napa is a blend of valley floor fruit and Howell Mountain grapes, and this 2013 is missing nothing in terms of structure and style with Dunn’s estate Howell Mountain bottlings, it will be interesting to see these two side by side, but for the price of the Napa, which is far below it’s main rivals, this wine stands out as a killer deal, this and Cathy Corison’s 2013 are tremendous wines and maybe the best values in Napa Valley for the vintage! The 2013 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ha that particular great wine feel and presence in the glass, it is a wine you can certainly stash away in the cellar for 25 years, but a wine that gives you it’s pleasures even in it’s youthful stages, in fact I was blown away at just how gorgeously it was drinking right now, sampling from an non-decanted bottle it was magical and opulent in form, even with Dunn’s legendary structural tannins, Randy and his son Mike can really be proud of this one. Dunn, also known for not allowing for alcohol intrusion, has this vintage at 13.9% on the label, making for it’s polished and balanced feel, but don’t let that fool you either, this is a powerful and full bodied Cabernet with plenty of depth and force. The 2013’s are a less edgy than 2012 with wonderful mouth feel, layers upon layers of fruit and haunting length with seamless textures, and this Dunn Napa delivers this with stunning verve and grace, it shows blackberry, rich currant/cassis, liquid violets/acacia flowers, minty/licorice, peppery/sweet tobacco leaf, hints of smoke, mineral, earth and cedar. With air you get black plum, wild sage, vanilla and blueberry as well, this well crafted Cabernet Sauvignon is firm and muscular at it’s core, but even it’s coating of fine tannin allows beautiful fruit detail and hedonistic lavish side to show through, this is everything you’d ever want and more, drink from 2018 to 2032.
($90 Est.) 97 Points, grapelive
