Cade
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
We drove up Howell Mountain to get to Cade two Sundays ago. What we witnessed was a horror show of fire damage. It’s hard to see nature destroyed in such a fashion. What was worse were all the brick chimneys only standing where there were once a home or a winery building.
Glass fire note. The fire investigation revealed the fire was started by a Cakebread electric fence short. An additional saddening note is Dolores Cakebread, the co-founder of Cakebread Cellars died shortly after the Glass Fire started. She was 90. No way to know if the stress of the fire factored into her passing.
The tannnins in all their 2017 Cabernets were grainy big, dry & dark tarry. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, creamy raspberries, dark cherries, plum, fresh roast, dark chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, some nutmeg, medium, dark spice, graphite, tobacco, youthful and showing plenty of wood with dark, red, purple, some blue flowers set in violets & lavender. The acidity was quite nice. The structure, tension, length & balance are good but, need about 8 years in bottle to start to shine. Showing promise on finish but this is still a very youthful/primary.
Photos of; Cade Estate vines, outside patio tasting area, infinity wall and their Estate Cabernet fruit unharvested. Sadly, about 80-85% of the 2020 Napa Valley Cabernet fruit will never see bottling.
We drove up Howell Mountain to get to Cade two Sundays ago. What we witnessed was a horror show of fire damage. It’s hard to see nature destroyed in such a fashion. What was worse were all the brick chimneys only standing where there were once a home or a winery building.
Glass fire note. The fire investigation revealed the fire was started by a Cakebread electric fence short. An additional saddening note is Dolores Cakebread, the co-founder of Cakebread Cellars died shortly after the Glass Fire started. She was 90. No way to know if the stress of the fire factored into her passing.
The tannnins in all their 2017 Cabernets were grainy big, dry & dark tarry. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, creamy raspberries, dark cherries, plum, fresh roast, dark chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, some nutmeg, medium, dark spice, graphite, tobacco, youthful and showing plenty of wood with dark, red, purple, some blue flowers set in violets & lavender. The acidity was quite nice. The structure, tension, length & balance are good but, need about 8 years in bottle to start to shine. Showing promise on finish but this is still a very youthful/primary.
Photos of; Cade Estate vines, outside patio tasting area, infinity wall and their Estate Cabernet fruit unharvested. Sadly, about 80-85% of the 2020 Napa Valley Cabernet fruit will never see bottling.
Anette had this 6 years ago
Anette had this 6 years ago
2 people found it helpfulFeb 13th, 2018
A shocker. Less is more in this case. The wine has grace and balance, I don't recall such acidity in previous vintages. 2010 made everyone grown up.
A shocker. Less is more in this case. The wine has grace and balance, I don't recall such acidity in previous vintages. 2010 made everyone grown up.
2 people found it helpfulDec 3rd, 2013
Finally getting around to posting Day 5 in Napa, our final day. 5 years in a row visiting...hope to make it 6 next year!
My wife could smell this as it was being poured in our glasses and said it was already going to be her favorite. Big, ripe and rich. Think the ABV was around 15.5, so while that’s high, it didn’t taste that way. Loads of dark red fruit like black cherry. Sweet cherry tobacco, dark chocolate, fig, and baked pie. Nothing finesse about this, just a flavorful Napa Cab. Really enjoyable.
Finally getting around to posting Day 5 in Napa, our final day. 5 years in a row visiting...hope to make it 6 next year!
My wife could smell this as it was being poured in our glasses and said it was already going to be her favorite. Big, ripe and rich. Think the ABV was around 15.5, so while that’s high, it didn’t taste that way. Loads of dark red fruit like black cherry. Sweet cherry tobacco, dark chocolate, fig, and baked pie. Nothing finesse about this, just a flavorful Napa Cab. Really enjoyable.
Chris had this 6 years ago
Chris had this 6 years ago
1 person found it helpfulMar 30th, 2018
Nose of ripe blackberry and earth. Blueberry. Vanilla, but just a touch. On the mouth it's young, but tasty. Silky dark berries. Solid bottle of wine.
Nose of ripe blackberry and earth. Blueberry. Vanilla, but just a touch. On the mouth it's young, but tasty. Silky dark berries. Solid bottle of wine.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 14th, 2016
Snowed in and cuddling up to a great Napa cab! For a difficult vintage, this is a very good effort. Great texture, volume and finish. Sweet and expansive on the finish. Taste profile is dominated by coffee and maraschino cherries. Nice.
Snowed in and cuddling up to a great Napa cab! For a difficult vintage, this is a very good effort. Great texture, volume and finish. Sweet and expansive on the finish. Taste profile is dominated by coffee and maraschino cherries. Nice.
1 person found it helpfulJan 24th, 2016
Ruby color. Ripe fruit, red and black cherry, plum. Spice, cedar, leather. M+ tannin, m body. Black berries, plum. Long finish. An elegant wine.
Ruby color. Ripe fruit, red and black cherry, plum. Spice, cedar, leather. M+ tannin, m body. Black berries, plum. Long finish. An elegant wine.
1 person found it helpfulJan 14th, 2016Very nice wine. Balanced. Not too much fruit. Not too dry. Fabulous taste in the tongue front end and big and strong at the end. Definitely up for a repeat.
Very nice wine. Balanced. Not too much fruit. Not too dry. Fabulous taste in the tongue front end and big and strong at the end. Definitely up for a repeat.
1 person found it helpfulNov 3rd, 2015This is Plumpjack's project up on Howell mountain
This is Plumpjack's project up on Howell mountain
1 person found it helpfulJan 29th, 2014