Palate
Randy Dunn’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain has always bean a real beast. The product of a year in which a spring frost decimated production, the 2008 boasts massive fruit and overall intensity to the point the tannins are nearly buried. The flavors remain incredibly primary, with very little in the way of aromatic development, but, at the same time, I am happy to report readers will not have to wait another decade-plus to enjoy the 2008, as I had originally thought. Little by little Dunn’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is coming together. (98 points, tasted 1/2015) The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain takes things to another level, as hard as it may seem to believe. This was another difficult vintage for Dunn. Yields were down a full 50%. In exchange, nature rewarded Dunn with the fruit to make an epic wine that could very well turn out to be a modern-day legend. The 2008 is a huge, towering wine packed with dark fruit, licorice, tar, asphalt and licorice. Layers of perfume are woven throughout this majestic effort. The 2008 should only be purchased by the very patient, but it is a legendary wine in the making. (98+ points, tasted 1/2011)
Aging
Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak.