Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Tried this at Chef Geoff in Tysons. First time trying Dunn so I wasn't sure what to expect. Called ahead for a two and a half hour decant. Color was a deep garnet with brown edges. The nose was very tight, savory, greens, dark dirt and something like a dirty garage. Started with savory notes in the palate then completely changed. Moderate tannins and body that was smooth and silky. Very well integrated with some dark fruit, maybe a little cassis. Finish was shorter than expected but still moderate. Overall not a bad wine at all but the finish knocked the points down a bit. — 11 years ago

with Sean

Paul Weil

9.5

So delicious Rutherford dust! This Merlot is made in the classic Napa style with deep rich cherries and mocha, and mercifully light on the oak. It has a bit of an acidic bite that will likely abate after laying down for a couple of years. If you drink it now, •decant• 😼 — 12 years ago

Rob Lateiner

9.0

Great purity, just a bit taut right now. Should resolve nicely. There are some deep, leafy, earthy aromatics. Oak is judged well. This has nice freshness to it. Definitely on the rustic side. Jenna thinks it's "dirty and dusty like licking the floor of a primitive structure." It is very hot to her as well, both nasally and to drink. The wine Polaner calls blood orange on this bottling and Camus' other VV Savigny bottling. He is completely right we both agree. 85 year old vines. A solid value for the cellar. Jenna says the quality of this is like unfiltered Honest Tea to clean and bright Steaz. This is a touch more muddled at the moment with a bit of bitterness but I am confident this will clarify and integrate nicely with time. Old school for purists. Jenna says it's "minty and herbal, fennel or anise." Definitely anise/fennel. Some balsamicky older barrel aromas and also nuttier newer oak aromas, too. Good balance. This really does have some soil aromas to it. A touch hot (alcohol) right but I imagine it will cool down with some time in bottle. — 13 years ago

Andrei Shustov

9.1

Whoa!! Another big red from down under!! Loaded with cherry upfront but holds on to the deep layers for a while; be patient - it will reward! — 11 years ago

Jamie Smith

9.2

Drank this 3l bad boy for Xmas. Rich , ripe, deep red fruits. 11 is probably my favourite vintage from these guys — 12 years ago

Ryan Simmons

9.0

Decanted 2 hrs. Deep maroon. Ripe dark fruit dominated by black licorice, anise and alcohol. Full bodied and acidic with velvety tannins. A very chewy wine with major cellaring potential. I'll lay the other two bottles down for 5-10 yrs. once it integrates I'm sure it'll be 93+ — 12 years ago

Alex Alvärëz

9.2

Finally getting caught up on stuff I had in France. This needed more time open than we could give it during lunch, but went down quickly nonetheless. Deep and meaty and bloody with a touch of floral lift. Fully resolved tannins and incredible length. — 11 years ago

James Pendergrass

9.2

Two up, Two down as they say in VA. This wine blew my mind in that I had no idea VA produced anything this good. Tannins were still present, but not overwhelming. Bright Berry fruit on the tongue and a very deep nose. Medium color. A great wine to lead the charge for VA winemaking. — 12 years ago

with Carlos

Steven Foster

Wine buyer Belmont Wine Exchange

10

Best young Grenache from sine qua non. So fruity and deep. Needs some time in glass but ready now. — 12 years ago

Greg Jones

9.8

Deep Black Berry and Cassis, earthy tones with a complex finish, I would have preferred more red fruit on the pallet but this is a good wine not to be passed on. I suspect one could lay this wine down for at least 10 yeRs... Beyond that I don't think it would hold up... But what do I know? — 13 years ago