Dunn Vineyards produces 100% Cabernet Sauvignon under two labels: Howell Mountain and Napa Valley. Around 2500 cases of Howell Mountain and about 1500 cases of Napa Valley are made each year. The Howell Mountain Cabernet is from 100% percent Howell Mountain fruit, while the Napa Valley includes up to 15% Napa Valley floor fruit, with the remainder of the fruit coming from Howell Mountain. This floor fruit contributes to the wine’s softer approach, even though the wines usually can be laid down for 15+ years.

The bottles differ in two ways: The Napa Valley has a foil seal, whereas the Howell Mountain has been hand dipped in red wax. The Howell Mountain wine label bears both h the sub appellation Howell Mountain, as well as the appellation Napa Valley while the Napa release only reads Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is usually more approachable at a younger age with its softer tannins whereas, the Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is massive in fruit and tannins.

The 2011 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a robust and complex red wine from the esteemed Napa region of California. Crafted exclusively from estate vineyards on Howell Mountain, it showcases the signature intensity and depth that Dunn wines are known for. This vintage is noted for its dark, powerful profile, characterized by a remarkable density and a striking, savory nature.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous describes this wine as possessing "tremendous density and tons of pure power," highlighting its robust flavor profile with notes of grilled herbs, scorched earth, licorice, and lavender. He points out that the 2011 vintage is "one of the most backward Cabernets" he tasted, indicating its potential for further development and aging.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate also praises the wine, awarding it a score of 94. Parker notes its "ripe, full-bodied mouthfeel," with flavors of graphite, spring flowers, blueberry, and blackberry, describing it as "full-bodied, luscious, and ideal for drinking over the next 12-15 years." This positive review underscores the wine's rich and inviting nature.

James Suckling gives the highest praise with a score of 96, highlighting the wine's "spice, blueberry, and blackberry" characteristics. He notes its "full-bodied and structured" nature, with "powerful tannins and a long blueberry finish," suggesting it needs "at least four or five years" before reaching its peak.

Overall, the 2011 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a testament to the robust and layered wines that emerge from Howell Mountain. With its high scores from respected reviewers and its potential for aging, it stands out as an exemplary choice for those seeking a powerful, complex Cabernet Sauvignon.