Cakebread Cellars
Benchland Select Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Nose has wet cedar, dried black cherry, blackberry compote, black currant must, dry earth and (light) cigar box.
Palate has spiced cherry, spicy oak/cedar, blackberry jam, chocolate powder and notable but fine tannins.
My prior notes stated a wait until 2021+ before our next bottle...TBH I never looked at my notes before selecting this bottle tonight, so 🤷🏻♂️. Now that we're at 2021, there's noted improvement and I calmly suggest future bottle (there's only one left) should be between 2026-2031, as this is holding just fine.
In following to my prior comment on this bottle; We have a love/hate relationship with Wine Spectator whom tasted this at 80 pts in 2005. I fully disagree (FU), but do agree there have been 'better' vintages on this vineyard site. (We also have the better vintages 😁 in waiting.)
Decanted 4H, notes at ~5H.
Paired to 'vintage' ribeye's and local grilled corn. Our favorite beef 'dealer' aka farmer, Kinderhook Farm (Valatie, NY) has an interesting program of holding some of their cattle for more than a year, our cuts tonight are from a 5 YO steer. A brief 6m grill and wonderfully medium-rare cuts at ~135°F after resting. Great depth of flavor, less of the grass fed notes we get with the regular (youthful) cuts, just delicious.
Nose has wet cedar, dried black cherry, blackberry compote, black currant must, dry earth and (light) cigar box.
Palate has spiced cherry, spicy oak/cedar, blackberry jam, chocolate powder and notable but fine tannins.
My prior notes stated a wait until 2021+ before our next bottle...TBH I never looked at my notes before selecting this bottle tonight, so 🤷🏻♂️. Now that we're at 2021, there's noted improvement and I calmly suggest future bottle (there's only one left) should be between 2026-2031, as this is holding just fine.
In following to my prior comment on this bottle; We have a love/hate relationship with Wine Spectator whom tasted this at 80 pts in 2005. I fully disagree (FU), but do agree there have been 'better' vintages on this vineyard site. (We also have the better vintages 😁 in waiting.)
Decanted 4H, notes at ~5H.
Paired to 'vintage' ribeye's and local grilled corn. Our favorite beef 'dealer' aka farmer, Kinderhook Farm (Valatie, NY) has an interesting program of holding some of their cattle for more than a year, our cuts tonight are from a 5 YO steer. A brief 6m grill and wonderfully medium-rare cuts at ~135°F after resting. Great depth of flavor, less of the grass fed notes we get with the regular (youthful) cuts, just delicious.
Decanting... To be paired with very nicely grilled, grass fed, lamb sirloin.
We have a love/hate relationship with Wine Spectator whom tasted this at 80 pts in 2005. I fully disagree, but do agree there have been 'better' vintages on this vineyard site.
Intially an interesting cherry cola note, that transitioned to a ripe cherry note, light on the finish, but tannins are not fully resolved yet. My best guess is this needs another five years. This was from a 6-pack case, bought on release, now only two bottles remain. Hopefully I can forget about this until at least 2021.
Decanting... To be paired with very nicely grilled, grass fed, lamb sirloin.
We have a love/hate relationship with Wine Spectator whom tasted this at 80 pts in 2005. I fully disagree, but do agree there have been 'better' vintages on this vineyard site.
Intially an interesting cherry cola note, that transitioned to a ripe cherry note, light on the finish, but tannins are not fully resolved yet. My best guess is this needs another five years. This was from a 6-pack case, bought on release, now only two bottles remain. Hopefully I can forget about this until at least 2021.
#Cakebread Benchland Select #NapaValley #CabernetSauvignon - blackberry, boysenberry, plum and a long finish with mineral notes.
#Cakebread Benchland Select #NapaValley #CabernetSauvignon - blackberry, boysenberry, plum and a long finish with mineral notes.
1 person found it helpfulAug 8th, 2014
Z'omg. Wasn't showing any signs of being 13 years old. Seriously vibrant with great acid balance. Poor waitress destroyed the cork, but no filter for us. Poured to the bottom without sediment. Fantastic and deep, best bottle I've had in a while.
Z'omg. Wasn't showing any signs of being 13 years old. Seriously vibrant with great acid balance. Poor waitress destroyed the cork, but no filter for us. Poured to the bottom without sediment. Fantastic and deep, best bottle I've had in a while.
1 person found it helpfulNov 5th, 2013
07' Cakebread Cellar Benchland Select Cabernet. Cakebread... yes , this 07' is dynamite. I know what you're thinking "Cakebread " this 07' with a 30 minute decant 👍. Drink.
07' Cakebread Cellar Benchland Select Cabernet. Cakebread... yes , this 07' is dynamite. I know what you're thinking "Cakebread " this 07' with a 30 minute decant 👍. Drink.
Jun 25th, 201707' Cakebread Benchland Select. Cabernet. 100% CB. It spent 22 months in slightly over 50% new oak.
This wine was shut down a few years back (Little fruit/wood ). Brick red in color. The Cab doesn't look like it's 9 years old. A full- bodied beautiful cab. This wine is open for business, with a short decanting.
Luscious black fruits. Moderate oak/ tannins, light acidity. Drinking now-? Love this also in the 08' . Screw the name. Purchase the wine!
07' Cakebread Benchland Select. Cabernet. 100% CB. It spent 22 months in slightly over 50% new oak.
This wine was shut down a few years back (Little fruit/wood ). Brick red in color. The Cab doesn't look like it's 9 years old. A full- bodied beautiful cab. This wine is open for business, with a short decanting.
Luscious black fruits. Moderate oak/ tannins, light acidity. Drinking now-? Love this also in the 08' . Screw the name. Purchase the wine!
Good complexity of primary and secondary aromas, and a lot of stuffing, including pronounced wood tannins. This should have better days ahead.
Good complexity of primary and secondary aromas, and a lot of stuffing, including pronounced wood tannins. This should have better days ahead.
Jan 23rd, 2014
Holy crap! Mmmmmm...so good! Opening well after 30 minutes. So many layers. Bold, rustic old world-yet-new-world. Nikki says, "it's good!!" $150 / 94pts
Holy crap! Mmmmmm...so good! Opening well after 30 minutes. So many layers. Bold, rustic old world-yet-new-world. Nikki says, "it's good!!" $150 / 94pts
Nov 5th, 2013Very underwhelming. Higher tannins than expected too.
Very underwhelming. Higher tannins than expected too.
Oct 23rd, 2023