First out was the Dunn Vineyards 2003 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark, dense red/purple color in the glass. Thick, rich, dark fruit on the nose with black berries. The black berries carries through to the palate with black currant, good acidity and big, but relatively smooth, tannins for being so young. Long, beautiful finish. This wine is a fruit power house. Very good!After the 2003 we pulled a bottle of the Dunn Vineyards 2000 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, thinking it would be fun to compare the two wines. What a difference! The 2000 has a dark ruby/purple color in the glass as well. On the nose not so much berries but dark cherries and plum with a hint of burnt match stick. Still rich fruit and berries on the palate but not nearly as bright, ripe, and dense as the 2003. The tannins are very firm, and this wine will do well in the bottle for quite a few more years to come.
Robert Parker gave the 2003 92-94 points and the 2000 only 88 points. I do agree with the
2003 (if you can put a number on it...) but I think the 2000 is definitely worth some extra credit. So different but still a really good wine worth 90 or maybe even+.Later with dinner we had the Joseph Phelps 2001 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine. This wine is a different beast compared to the wines from Dunn Vineyards. Not as densely colored in the glass with a great dark ruby red color. Dark fruit, cherries, and a hint of vanilla on the nose. On the palate, cherries, plum and black currant with a slight spiciness. Great acidity and round tannins. This wine is not so much powerful, although full-bodied, but made in a more elegant style with great balance throughout, and a long finish.
Can't complain about this trio of wines. My taste buds were very happy this day...
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