Dunn Vineyards, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 18.5pts/20 (95/100pts) Individual judge’s scores: Stephen Brook 18.5 Yohann Jousselin MS 18.5 David Motion 18.5 With a craggy face, handsome mustache and cowboy hat, Randy Dunn is Napa Valley’s original mountain man. He embraces Howell Mountain’s volcanic soils, 600m elevations and the thick-skinned, tannic grapes grown there. Always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, they show the herbal side of the variety, and are 14% alcohol or less, even if Dunn must use reserve osmosis technology to reduce the potency.
Oakville Ranch, Oakville, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 18.5pts/20 (95/100pts) Individual judge’s scores: Stephen Brook 18.5 Yohann Jousselin MS 18.5 David Motion 18.5 Women rule at Oakville Ranch. Londoner Mary MacInnes Miner and her American husband Bob Miner purchased Oakville Ranch in 1989, but Bob’s death in 1994 left Mary in charge. She now relies on general manager Paula Kornell (daughter of pioneering Napa Valley sparkling wine producer Hans Kornell) and winemaker Anne Vawter to enhance the brand.
O’Shaughnessy, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 18.25pts/20 (94/100pts) Individual judge’s scores: Stephen Brook 18.5 Yohann Jousselin MS 18.5 David Motion 17.5 Spiced bramble jam on the nose with touches of earth, chocolate and tobacco. Offering great complexity, it’s rich, opulent, powerful, a bit tarry, with rugged mountain fruit, chewy tannins and a certain earthiness. Terrific weight of fruit; will go the distance. Price N/A UK oshaughnessywinery.com Drink 2013–2030 Alc 14.8%
Robert Mondavi, Reserve, Oakville, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 18pts/20 (93/100pts) Individual judge’s scores: Stephen Brook 17 Yohann Jousselin MS 18 David Motion 19 Intense essence of summer and autumn fruit on the nose with black cherry in there as well. Great acidity and lovely round tannins. Wonderful, silky mouthfeel, with sweet, supple, ripe fruit that’s not cloying or overdone. Top shelf. Price £60 Morgan Classic Wines Drink 2013–2035 Alc 15%
Far Niente, Oakville, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 17.75pts/20 (92/100pts) Individual judge’s scores: Stephen Brook 18.5 Yohann Jousselin MS 16.5 David Motion 18 Deep autumnal fruit with a dark side and a voluptuous plummy nose. Rich, velvety, full-bodied, concentrated, with generosity of fruit, fine ripeness, and fine-grained tannins with a hint of black pepper on the finish. Delicious and long. Price £92–£110 Christopher Keiller, Fintry Wines, Slurp, Winedown Drink 2013–2030 Alc 14.5%
J Davies, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 17.75pts/20 (92/100pts) Individual judge’s scores: Stephen Brook 17.5 Yohann Jousselin MS 18 David Motion 17.5 Tightly wound deep, lush fruit with touches of bacon and chocolate. Good attack; supple, concentrated, with ripe tannins, fresh acidity and spice on the finish with a hint of Turkish Delight. Shows finesse, great balance and complexity. Price POA Vineyard Cellars Drink 2013–2025 Alc 14.5%
Staglin Family Vineyard Estate, Rutherford, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 17.75pts/20 (92/100pts) Individual judge’s scores: Stephen Brook 17.5 Yohann Jousselin MS 18.5 David Motion 17.5 Cloves, aniseed, vanilla on the nose, which also carries lush plum and black cherry. Great acidity and well integrated, this is rich but not heavy, has a certain limpidity and enough acidity to carry through to the finish. Complex, balanced and should age well. Price N/A UK staglinfamily.com Drink 2014–2030 Alc 14.9%
Diamond Creek, Gravelly Meadow, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts) Individual judge’s scores: Stephen Brook 18.5 Yohann Jousselin MS 17.5 David Motion 16.5 Firm but elegant blackberry and damson nose, with a curious mineral edge. Suave texture, with plenty of stuffing, and notes of cassis, tobacco and cedarwood. A complex wine with intensity and balance. Price POA Vineyard Cellars Drink 2015–2025 Alc 14.1%
( Fonte Decanter )
