Anyone who has regularly tasted Randy Dunn’s Cabernet Sauvignons (first produced in 1979) realizes several things. They all possess the following characteristics: (1) remarkable color and richness, (2) massive personalities with huge tannic structures, (3) gorgeous purity and unreal aging potential… It is not far-fetched to suggest that Randy Dunn is producing Cabernet Sauvignons that, in top vintages, will be fresh, lively, and rich in fruit at age 50….For those with patience, these are among the finest values in long-lived, classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
95+ Points Vinous
Bright, fresh red with ruby tones. Knockout explosive nose melds red berries, tobacco, minerals, loam, gravel, mocha, espresso and camphor; Randy Dunn noted that this was even more Bordeaux-like at the beginning, even a bit herbaceous. Then wonderful silky and fine-grained on the palate, perhaps the second mostly glyceral vintage to this point after the ’03. But this very young, backward, even youthfully medicinal wine also boasts terrific energy. Finishes firm and classically dry, with emerging purple fruits suggesting that this splendid wine will ultimately merit an even higher score. The Dunn team routinely does a lot of selection in the vines at harvest time and Dunn noted that “a lot of shot berries also flew out of the crusher in 2005.”
94+ Points Wine Advocate
the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain has a nice, cedary, new saddle leather-infused blackcurrant richness, outstanding purity, medium to full body, sweet tannin and a layered, lush texture. The level of concentration is impressive. I don’t think there’s a wine taster that could tell whether this is 13.8% or 15.8% alcohol, given this level of richness. This wine is certainly accessible, but probably won’t hit its prime for another 5-7 years, and like most Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons, it will have a good 30+ years of longevity.