2012 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley represents a bit of a departure for Dunn. Although not labeled as such, for the last few years, all of the fruit for the Napa bottling has come from estate vineyards on Howell Mountain that don’t make it into the flagship. In 2012, the Napa bottling is made mostly of purchased fruit from Coombsville (65%) and the rest fruit from Howell Mountain. I admit I have mixed feelings about this change, as the Napa has essentially been a ‘mini’ version of the Howell Cabernet that drinks well earlier than that wine. On the other hand, the 2012 Napa is probably more typical of what readers expect in an appellation wine, as it is open-knit, juicy and quite generous today, all qualities that are accentuated by the personality of the year. The flavors are bright and floral throughout, with plenty of sweet red berry and plum nuances. Readers should expect an unusually succulent Cabernet by Dunn standards, and a wine that will drink well right out of the gate. In just the one month that passed between my tastings of the bottled Dunn 2012s, the Napa Cabernet has come a long way.