Cakebread Cellars

Cakebread Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1988

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears a garnet color with a near opaque core with significant rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated and ripe dark and red fruits: currants, plums, brambles, old leather, cigar box, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or based blend), Tempranillo, Grenache-based blend from the United States, Spain, France or Italy. I felt like this leaned more towards the fruit than the non-fruit character and/or structure. Additionally, the color and desiccated nature of the fruit leads me to believe this bottle has significant age. So, my final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon (or based blend), from the United States, California, Napa Valley with 30+ years of age. We’ll call it 1985. Awfully close! Drink now.
— 7 days ago

Tom, Douglas and 9 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T I think I know what you mean by more about the head…certainly once you’ve had enough of them. Did you see the ABV? This was from a different time in Napa.
Somm David T

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I do not see it but imagine it’s 12-13%. I would prefer that percentage had never changed. That style aged is beautiful. When I drink wines this old, I think about the cycle of its evolution, time period, history of the region, winemaking practices and the people who made them. I generally read the “about of” the wine & its maker when I drink them. A habit I developed from studying with 6 or 7 different Master Somm’s 5 days a week over 3-4 months.
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T that’s the whole reason I got into wine: sharing the story of the farmer and their relationship with the land and Mother Nature.

Cakebread Cellars

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and spice scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. Pair this with a Swordfish steak topped with balsamic roasted tomatoes. — 4 days ago

Tom, Juan and 4 others liked this

Cakebread Cellars

Vaca Estate Vineyards Red Blend 2019

Fantastic Cabernet…. Paired incredibly well with our slow braised short ribs… jammy, dark fruit, and semi bold. Got another bottle that I’m going to let sit a little longer and compare. — a month ago

Paul and Ron liked this

Cakebread Cellars

Reserve Family Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay 2021

Oaky, slight acidic… pear and golden apple notes… paired amazingly with a peck of oysters. Life is good! — 2 months ago

Paul and Ron liked this

Cakebread Cellars

Two Creeks Vineyards Pinot Noir 2019

Very fruity and delicious! — 4 months ago

Cakebread Cellars

Vine Hill Ranch Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Auction wine. Broken cork. Again. Wine was at base of the neck. I think cakebread got a batch of bad corks. No wine into the cork and they all broke right at the end. Not sure how it affected the wine but it’s been a consistent issue

Wine exhibited some decent fruit but no real depth or grip. Very smooth and medium body but missing some power and complexity expected from this site.

— 9 days ago

Tom, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Cakebread Cellars

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2020

2020 at Rubiyat with blackened Mahi Mahi. Really good wine. — 23 days ago

Cakebread Cellars

Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006

boys nite. Very classical napa valley. nose is better than palate. blue fruit, opulent, mineral. now i know my type of wine is one with cabernet, merlot, can franc. comparable to pomerol. just get the cheaper one you can find — 2 months ago

Jan, Ceccherini and 1 other liked this

Cakebread Cellars

Annahala Ranch Pinot Noir 2021

Glad to be drinking this bottle again my wife and I have found the 2021 vintage to be just as good as the 2020 notes of jam cherry and blackberry. One of the finer examples of an American full bodied Pinot noir. I could drink this bottle every single day.  — 7 months ago

Paul and Rob liked this