Cakebread, Cabernet Sauvignon, California

Spectacular! At its peak.

2012 vintage

Dark Cherry, Black Currant, Chocolate. Well Integrated Tannins. Reasonable finish. This wine was a pleasure to drink and still has some time left.

2012 vintage

Should’ve drank this 5 years ago! Lost body and fruit.

2006 vintage

Needed air and was tasty but well past prime.

2006 vintage

This is D volving, acidic and tart- might be in transition Muted fruit, tight short finish. Hold it

2017 vintage

Dull

2012 vintage

This particular bottle was well on the downward slide. Purchased from a reputable shop with a note that it was sourced from a private seller, cork was good, albeit a bit dry. Wine had initial nose of nail polish which blew off after a few minutes, so I decanted the rest of the bottle for about 20 mins, which mostly did the trick. Mostly secondary notes, fruit that was there was quite tired. Overall, still enjoyable and interesting but clearly …

2006 vintage

A wonderful surprise brought over by a good friend that bought a case of his vintage years ago at the request of an Oil minister of a small country in Africa. The story of the motivation to purchase this wine decades ago was as interesting as the wine itself. This was the last of his stash and he was kind enough to share this over dinner. I have little experience with wines of this age but I have a feeling …

1978 vintage

Fruit jumps at u with a slight note of vanilla on the nose. Palate says red fruits over dark fruits. Super approachable. Kind of harmonious an in a good place to be consumed. Nothing over done at the moment. Gave it 4 hours of air in the bottle with some space for the wine to touch the air. Lasting finish. Not a spectacular wine but I have no complaints. Of course it could be better but everything could be better. …

2017 vintage

Very dry, high acidity, purple hue. The next day tasted better, you could pick up some plum, but still fairly acidic and dry. I’ve had other vintages (I forget which ones) that were delicious, but I would not buy another bottle of 2017 again.

2017 vintage

Dark cherries, plums, and a hint of chocolate on the nose. Wine was restrained with subtle sweetness and a nice texture. Not sure if it was in a weird phase or slipping past prime drinking.

2012 vintage

This winery was founded by Jack Cakebread; in the 1970s he was traveling through Napa Valley taking pictures with none other than Ansel Adams when he stumbled upon a plot of land. He liked it so much, he bought it! He then made friends with Robert Mondavi, who encouraged him to plant grapes, and so he started a winery there that has been in continuous operation ever since. Cakebread first started with plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, whicih still constitutes 20% …

2012 vintage

Charmless purple juice. Over extracted fruit bomb.

2017 vintage

See previous notes,, all good for what it is.

2017 vintage

Ten Years On - 2012 Cabernet Sauvignons (Canoehead Central) : First out of the gate for a double-decanted blind tasting of 2012 Cabernets and the colour of the wine pouring into the glass was promising. Super dark garnet/purple ink almost black obsidian. However, there was definitely a fault on the nose. Some speculated it was corked but it had been decanted for over an hour and most of that potential condition seemed to have blown off and was now kinda …

2012 vintage

Opened tableside for our good friends toward the end of our meal, as we'd already downed a few other bottles. Right from the pnp, the nose is ready to go and the palate follows over the next 45 min. Beautiful, aged cedar, earthy cab nose with some graphite. Weight in the mouth is slightly less than the Vine Hill Ranch winery's version but the fruit in general seems to be a little more evolved and 'ready' as compared against the …

2012 vintage

Aging nicely. Still has room. Nice aged cali cab.

2006 vintage

Drank with a great steak dinner at Club A in NYC. Not the most complex wine in the history of the world, but a very nice mouthful that was perfect with the steak. I have a large cellar of traditional Bordeaux that I very much enjoy, but top Bordeaux from the best vintages seems to take 20+ years to hit its stride. There’s something to be said for wine like this that is quite tasty 5 years after the vintage.

2017 vintage

1hr+ decant. Dark red color. Dark fruit and medicinal tones on the nose. Elegant when that is well integrated. Medium depth. Drinking lovely right now.

2012 vintage

Still young but drinking good.

2012 vintage

Napa Cab Afternoon (DV Central) : Part of Napa Cab tasting double-decanted blind First wine poured and definitely set a benchmark for the sitting. Dark purple, opaque. Intense nose of dark red and black fruits. Very fresh bouquet - seemed primary. We all thought this was one of the '18 vintages. Later blown away this was a 2012. Young vibrant wine with good depth. a bit of tannic grip on the finish (which went well with the cheeseboard and grilled …

2012 vintage

2.5 재구매X 나대는=알코올 바디감 탄닌 산도 모두 높음+spicy 나파 카쇼맛=베리향 잔당감 비비노 평점은 높지만 내취향 아닌

2017 vintage

I drank this about 2-years after it’s prime drinking age in my opinion. I had the same vintage in 2020 and it was perfect! This time (6/2022) it was still “okay” but certainly not what it was.

2012 vintage

Clear deep ruby; clean medium plus nose of leather, cassis, tar, graphite, cocoa and balsamic; dry; high acidity; high tannins; high alcohol; medium plus body; medium plus flavour intensity; palate is tarter with strong fruit; long finish; drink now or in 5 years; fabulous example of age-worthy Cali Cab; tasted at winery

2012 vintage

The wine looks purple colored. It smells like forest floor, burnt and alcohol/hot. The body is light/medium. The wine has leathery texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has high acidity. Allittle to bitter tasting for me. Was expecting more considering the price.

2017 vintage

At 9 years old this wine is in a fantastic place. The nose is very elegant with lots of dark chocolate, lavender, and a hint of spice. The palate is medium to full bodied, rich and opulent. Fruit forward but not over the top. The tannins are perfectly integrated. Medium finish. This is likely drinking at its peak right now, no need to wait any longer. We drank this with homemade pizza, and it was fantastic.

2012 vintage

Beautifully full bodied and silky smooth. Perfect with Thanksgiving dinner with the family. Glad I had a magnum because everyone wanted more.

2012 vintage

4th Saturday Group: Uptown Brown Bag (MM’s) : Double blind. Notes of herbs, black fruit and tapenade. Full-bodied. Black fruit and plum dominate the palate; balanced. (V&M)

2017 vintage

1hr+ decant. Dark red color with purple tones. Nose is balanced between dark fruit and new oak. Classic Napa Cab all the way. Fruit forward, strong oak presence, and on the sweet side. Medium finish. Past prime but hanging in there.

2006 vintage

I picked up this bottle at an estate disposition. Based on the storage where I found it, I did not have high expectations. Over the years, however, I have learned not to make final judgement until I pull the cork. This one wsa a winner. Beutiful plum color in the glass--no indication of bricking. I did get a hint of oxidation on the nose, but only the slightest hint. On the tongue an interesting mix of dark berry fruit--always a …

2006 vintage

Drank by pond after holiday. Lovely setting Deep ruby/garnet hints of purple Pronounced nose dark fruit maybe olives Palate pleasing full bodied long finish balanced oaky smoky earthy dark fruit

2017 vintage

good, too pricey to justify blackberry cherry

2017 vintage

Opaque purple- extracted to be sure. Rich nose of plums, blackberry, iodine, coffee and blueberry. Super smooth with fully integrated tannins, rich fruit, full body and medium acidity. Bright Cali sunshine is evident- the depth of flavor is deep. Structurally this is not built for long term, it’s delicious now. 91 points for this velvety elixir that runs $70 and gets 4 stars. https://caspernick.com/2021/07/02/cakebread-cellars-cabernet-sauvignon-2017-napa-valley-california/

2017 vintage

30+ minute decant. Prime drinking age. Dark red color with brownish rims. Nose is dominated by burning wood and dirt. Lovely texture and more terroir than fruit, with a subtle sweetness to it. Finish was medium minus and somewhat watery. Pleasantly surprised based on my last bottle in late ‘18.

2006 vintage

Our club had the official opening of its new wine room and they were serving this wine along with some assorted white wines. Dark fruit on the nose. The palate was blackberry, mushroom, leather and hints of sage on the finish which was moderate to long. To be fair the assortment of hot and cold passed foods that they were serving did not do the wine any justice. Probably a better choice of foods and a decant would have helped …

2017 vintage

Butterscotch! Butterscotch!! Why have none of the marketed wine tasters, aficionados extraordinaire observed butterscotch??? It's there, of course. But they don't mention it. Why? Well, because if they did, it would reveal what this wine really is: candy, very expensive candy, but nevertheless just plain candy . . . for kids: millennials, and others who want to be grown ups and who have the money to buy and save things that they think demonstrate their sophistication and good taste. But …

2017 vintage

This wine is a deep purple in color with a med(+) intensity of aroma. The palate is composed of blackberries, coffee grounds, cassis, bubble gum, grape, dark chocolate, smoked meat, and a hint of compost. This is a dry wine with med(+) acidity, alcohol is high, tannin is med(+), and the finish is long. The palate is composed of blackberries, ripe black cherries, smoked meat, coffee, cassis, and grape. Overall, this is a very good wine that can be drunk …

2017 vintage

Pop n pour, after swirling for 15 to 20 minutes it opened up to fresh cut flowers, blackcherries, cassis, decent finish. Thought it was somewhat sappy and flabby. Maybe too young to score on. However there are many Napa cab options to rival this wine for 25.00 less a pop.

2017 vintage

Vinturied into decant, consumed over several hours. Young N vibrant at this point, pretty solid thou as it should be for 4 saw bucks. Give if it 3-5 Drink 2o23-7

2017 vintage

Still excellent.. had it to celebrate NYE. Worth waiting for...

2006 vintage

!

2012 vintage

Decanted and tried after about 1 hour and it was still too tight and acidic. After 4 hours the tannins softened and created a fuller mouth feel. Man in Black described the flavors well. Overall I thought the VHR Cakebread was good but was too acidic. It’s very well made and paired well with a red sauce but I probably won’t buy this vintage again.

2012 vintage

Deep ruby color. Good mouthfeel with blackberry, leather, mild tannin.

2017 vintage

Wow! Drinking incredibly well for a 2012 - amazing mouthfeel and a sublime finish of dark cherries. Had with a 2007 Mercury Head, which was also delicious - the Mercury Head could have used more time whereas the Cakebread is ready to go.

2012 vintage

This wine needs a few years to develop complexity and depth. Not worth the price to drink now

2017 vintage

consumed at our South Dakota pheasant hunt

2012 vintage

I tend to agree with another reviewer who said that it's so integrated, it doesn't really have much flavor. This cabernet didn't stand out and didn't have any secondary/tertiary flavors either. Nothing wrong with it but it doesn't drink like its price tag suggests.

2012 vintage

This is a good wine, but I think it needs a few more years. Still too young.

2017 vintage

👍👍. Perfectly balanced Napa cab!! Yum

2012 vintage

Still drinking very well. Don’t see this improving but should continue to drink well.

2006 vintage

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Cakebread, Cabernet Sauvignon, California

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