{"product_id":"dunn-vineyards-howell-mountain-cabernet-sauvignon-2022","title":"Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e97 points Wine Advocate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eDunn's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is the first vintage in a while that didn't get 100% new French oak—it's just 84%. Subtle, cedary oak frames bold cherry and blueberry fruit on the nose of this medium- to full-bodied wine. It's bigger-feeling than the Napa bottling, despite being lower in alcohol (13.9%). Round but structured, firm but silky, with undertones of crushed stone and pencil shavings on the lingering finish, it's a particularly strong effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-goWbiv loNZbm\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn contrast to producers in the Napa Valley proper, Dunn, up high on Howell Mountain, experienced close to normal yields in 2022. The Napa bottling is composed entirely of Howell Mountain fruit this year, like 2010 and some other historical vintages. Harvest took place from September 8 through October 21. There's no El Camino Reserve in 2022, but the quality of the two Cabernets that were made is superlative.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eDunn currently has 42 acres under vine and close to five acres undergoing replanting. Mike Dunn's son, Alex, is now with the business, largely focused on the viticulture. Patriarch Randy Dunn still rambles at will around the property, endlessly fixing and tinkering, while Mike handles much of the winery work with winemaker Ted Kizor. Lily Mirabelle Freedman has been the general manager since 2023.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSomewhat controversially, Randy has long been an outspoken proponent of using technology to de-alcoholize wines. That's a policy that Mike has continued. \"In our experience, de-alcing is preferable to watering back,\" he said, during our August 2025 tasting. Mike has his own wine label, Retro Cellars, which is listed under its own heading.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGoing forward, Dunn is going to be doing a collaboration of some sort with Jack Bittner (001 Vintners, Ecotone Vineyard) and Graeme MacDonald from the 2025 vintage. That's something to keep an eye out for.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e95+ points Vinous Media\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrinking window:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2028\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e-\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2047\u003cbr\u003eThe 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain offers a striking interplay of vintage 2022 ripeness and Howell Mountain savoriness. Dried herbs, menthol, licorice, incense and blood orange stain the palate up front before beams of tannin punctuate the harmonious, expressive finish. The 2022 is exotic and unusually lush, but also full of character. I look forward to seeing how this ages. The Howell Mountain is clearly among the finest wines of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Howell Mountain","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44019863191686,"sku":"ADV-Dunn-HowellCab","price":204.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0075\/0338\/0543\/files\/DunnHowellCab.png?v=1780062392","url":"https:\/\/www.winesolutions.com\/products\/dunn-vineyards-howell-mountain-cabernet-sauvignon-2022","provider":"Wine Solutions","version":"1.0","type":"link"}