Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain has more energy and focus than the Napa Valley bottling. Iron, graphite, red fruits, dried flowers are some of the many notes that take shape in this deep, complex, powerful wine. I imagine the 2009 will still be spectacular at age 30. For now, it needs at least another handful of years of cellaring to drink well. Huge veins of minerality support the huge fruit, giving the wine much of its pure tension and vitality. This is going to be a fascinating wine to follow over the coming decades. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.
Rating: 96+"

96 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Delivers a tight beam of rich, complex flavors, with currant, black licorice, loamy earth, cedar and tobacco leaf notes that expand on the finish, where this maintains its focus and gains length. The tannins are firm, yet this is approachable."

93 Points

Wine Spectator

"Bright, deep ruby-red. Finer and higher-pitched on the nose than the Napa Valley bottling, offering perfumed scents of cassis, blueberry, blackberry, licorice, violet and bitter chocolate: a clear expression of Howell Mountain cabernet. A step up in sweetness and depth from the Napa Valley release, offering superb intensity and excellent clarity and lift to the primary, highly concentrated dark berry flavors. This very densely packed, long wine is built for a slow evolution in bottle and may very well ultimately merit an even higher rating. Tannins are substantial but broad and fine.
Rating: 93(+?)"

93 Points

International Wine Cellar