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.
