Dunn Vineyards 'El Camino' Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, USA 2018

If there was ever an iconic, Napa Valley Cabernet producer, Dunn Vineyards would certainly be on everyone’s short list! At Dunn Vineyards, the classic, rich, muscular Cabernet Sauvignons that built the reputation of Napa Valley in its “golden age” in the ’60s and ’70s are still the norm (and never changed!). The winery's history dates back to 1978 when Randy and Lori Dunn purchased a 14-acre parcel in Angwin planted to 5 acres of Cabernet vines. At the time, Randy was working full-time as a winemaker in Rutherford. In the evenings and on weekends, Randy, Lori, and a young Mike Dunn tended the vines. Later that same year, Randy agreed to both farm and buy the fruit from Harry Frank's adjoining property along with an additional 3 tons from the Beatty Ranch. And from that, the inaugural vintage of Dunn Vineyards Cabernet was launched in 1979!

The Dunn wines have an amazing track record for aging. In general, the Napa bottling can drink well on release, but will really start strutting its stuff after 3-4 years, and age gracefully for 15-20 years easily in most vintages.

"A special selection (290 cases), Dunn's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon El Camino shows more nuance than the regular Howell Mountain bottling at this early stage, but that's not to say it's approachable. Enticing scents of dusty earth, sage, cassis and plum appear on the nose, but the medium to full-bodied palate is tight as Fort Knox. It's focused and streamlined in feel, richly concentrated yet graceful, then comes to a long finish firmly bolstered by dusty tannins. Give it time." Wine Advocate 97+