95 pts – Wine Advocate
The enormous 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a super-powerful, fabulously-concentrated, 50-year wine. Aromas and flavors of blackberry/cassis jam, minerals, and subtle oak are found in this extravagantly rich, gargantuan Cabernet Sauvignon that should age effortlessly for half a century. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050. – Robert Parker
92 pts – Wine Spectator
94 pts – Vinous
(13% alcohol): Bright medium ruby with virtually no sign of development at the rim. Sexy, musky, meaty scents of raspberry, cassis, menthol and underbrush. Plush and fine-grained but still with a reserve to its juicy redcurrant, tobacco, wild herb and underbrush flavors. Lovely energy here. Finishes with a firm dusting of tannins and excellent rising length. I believe I’ve finally found a Dunn wine close to its peak, but this Cabernet possesses the energy and spine to go on for years.- Stephen Tanzer (9/217)
