advice sought

I would select the 1990 Dunn Howell Mountain for drinking now. This wine was listed as ready for drinking in 2005 by Hugh Johnson. It is likely to be an outstanding wine. I do not have specific information on the Diamond Creek. Some wines from 1991 tend to be a bit lean, but a fine wine such as this could have developed very well with age. It likely would be drinkable now, but I hesitate to say more without specific information. The year 1999 produced many wines of outstanding quality. Hugh Johnson rated the 99 Stag's Leap as outstanding, but not ready in 2005. I think I would save this wine for another important event up to a few decades in the future. Better years of Cask 23 can be slow to develop and very long lasting.

Thank you. The Dunn it will be. That is sort of what I had thought, but I am happy to have the confirmation.

Don, Not to throw a wrench into the works, but Dunn Howell Mountains age glacially. I don't have the '90, but I had the '90 Napa recently (which was ready to drink). If you look at the notes posted on cellartracker's website, most people have decribed the '90 HM as having aggressive tannins. Most people are decanting many hours before serving. I would actually advise you to open the '91 Diamond Creek as the notes posted on cellartracker indicate that it may be in its decline now.

Mark Lipton

Having just opened a Dunn Howell Mountain 1989 you may still find it to be a big wine. The '89 was really coming together after being opened an hour so I would give it that much time opened.

Last wine that I had from the above list of producers and vineyards, was also an '89 Dunn. As with your experience, it was coming around nicely, and was decanted ~30 mins. before serving. It could possibly have benefitted from more time, but we did consume it slowly with a lot of swirling. Even though '89 is still thought of as a weak vintage for CA, there are some examples of great wine made that year - the Dunn Howell Mtn is, IMHO, one of them. I have the DCGM '91 (along with DCVH & DCRRT), but have not opened any, since I purchased a mixed case. Last tasting was at the Lake Vineyard with the late Mr Brounstein, and his wife Boots. My guess would be another 5 years, but I need to crack open a bottle of each, to verify. As for the SL '99, I do not have it, but would assume that 2009 might be a time to try a btl. if I did.

Hunt

Hunt and Mark: I'm sorry about the delay, but I had also contacted both Diamond Creek and Dunn about the wines. They have now responded. Diamond Creek said: It has been drinking well for about 4 years and I would recommend that you use it for your event. Dunn said: Don--It really depends on your personal taste. The wine will really last at least another 10-20 years. We have had it within the last 3 months and it was tasty. Randy Adding their comments to yours, I have changed my mind and decided to open the Diamond Creek, and save the Dunn for the next special occasion. Thanks to all 3 who responded.

Don,

Thanks for the report. Since these folk have, first a vested interest, and a library of their wines, they should know. I like the Dunn response, as the appreciation of any aged wine is on the palete of the beholder - some love it, some miss the big fruit, etc.

Happy Thanksgiving, Hunt

Dunn is such a slow ager though that despite having vintages from

That's about where I am on 1er Cru Bdx and Vintage Port. I think I am now in my decline and have no children to leave the wines to - so I must drink them, before my departure. The only VPs that I am buying are ones that my wife will find approachable in their youth, as she does fancy VPs with less age on them. Luckily, I have enough of the Bdx., the VPs and the big reds from several other countries to last me.

Hunt