2018 Dunn Vineyards El Camino
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Tasting notes
A special selection (290 cases), Dunn's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon El Camino shows more nuance than the regular Howell Mountain bottling at this early stage, but that's not to say it's approachable. Enticing scents of dusty earth, sage, cassis and plum appear on the nose, but the medium to full-bodied palate is tight as Fort Knox. It's focused and streamlined in feel, richly concentrated yet graceful, then comes to a long finish firmly bolstered by dusty tannins. Give it time.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A special selection (290 cases), Dunn's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon El Camino shows more nuance than the regular Howell Mountain bottling at this early stage, but that's not to say it's approachable. Enticing scents of dusty earth, sage, cassis and plum appear on the nose, but the medium to full-bodied palate is tight as Fort Knox. It's focused and streamlined in feel, richly concentrated yet graceful, then comes to a long finish firmly bolstered by dusty tannins. Give it time.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon El Camino emerges from a three-acre parcel within Park Muscatine that has since been replanted. It possesses tremendous richness and a touch more inner sweetness than most young Dunn Cabernets. Readers will find a sumptuous, richly textured wine that dazzles with intensity and sheer volume. El Camino is perhaps a bit atypically luscious, but compelling just the same. Black berry, spice, leather, menthol and chocolate lend dimension as the El Camino dazzles.