Del Dotto Piazza Sangiovese at Angelis Italian Anniversary Dinner

Del Dotto Piazza Sangiovese BYOB at Angelis Italian Anniversary Dinner

We celebrated our anniversary with dinner at our local neighborhood trattoria, Angelis Italian. Deliberating on wine I select I considered Caymus Cabernet which I've written about in these pages, that shares the same anniversary year and started commemorating such in their new packaging a couple years ago.

I opted, instead for this Del Dotto Piazza Sangiovese in remembrance of our tasting experience there during our recent Napa Valley Wine Experience (2018), (shown right), which was the highlight of our trip, coupled with the fact our Caymus experience was one of the lowlights! Our server checked the wine on offer and determined it was the same vintage that drank last year at our anniversary dinner so we stayed with our BYOB choice. Had it been the most recent incremental release we would have chosen the latest #44 Caymus label.

Regretably, our dinner was not up to normal standards at Angelis casting a bit of a pall over the evening. Following my dinner at Italian Village
earlier this week, I was eager to try the Veal Marsala wine sauce as it was the highlight of that dinner and I was looking to compare and recapture that wine entree combination.

Firstly our server lost track of our orders and we got lost in the cadence of the courses. When our entrees finally arrived, my veal plate was completely void of sauce. The explanation was that it must have been absorbed by the pasta. I asked for a dish of accompanying sauce which arrived to reveal a thin watery broth instead of the rich gravy like sauce served by Italian Village (shown pictured as part of trio of medallions of veal including the Marsala and Piccata).

Worse, Linda's entree selection was also a disappointment, the Salmon with Avocado relish Special was completely overpowered being saturated with olive oil. Upon re-plating, pouring off the Olive Oil, the entree was much more enjoyable.

Despite it all, the Del Dotto Piazza Sangiovese was spectacular and was the highlight of the dinner.

Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley Sangiovese 2015

We tasted and acquired this wine during our Del Dotto Estate Winery Cave Tour and Tasting last year. This prompted me to check my records which indicate we also tasted this in the 2106 vintage during our recent Del Dotto Piazza tasting at which we acquired that vintage as well.

This was dark garnet colored with a slight grayish hue that signaled caution but the wine was fine, we'll monitor the next bottle (s) with interest to see if this is an early warning of trouble ahead; medium full bodied, this was delicious with sweet ripe raspberry fruits accented by notes of vanilla and almond with supple smooth silky tannins on the lingering finish.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2579868

www.deldottovineyards.com/

Italian Village Chicago for Reliable Business Wine and Dine Experience

Italian Village Chicago for Reliable Business Wine and Dine Experience

For an important business partner dinner, we hosted dinner at our reliable go-to venue, Italian Village in Chicago. The Village has three different restaurants, each with its own kitchen and chef, each with its own ambiance and personality.

We dined in the 'Village' dining room upstairs at our regular table where our group selected six different entrees and all were excellent. We traversed a flight of three different Italian wines that perfectly complemented the courses of our dinner.

 Carpineto Poggio Sant' Enrico Toscana IGT Sangiovese 1999

At nineteen years of age, this is at the apex of its drinking window but not likely to improve with further cellaring, rather more likely to start to diminish from here forward. Great starting wine with our caprese and starters, dark, deep, blackish-ruby colored, full bodied with firm backbone of bold, intense black berry and ripe plum fruits, notes of black pepper, hints of smoke, leather and subtle vanilla with a long lingering supple tannin finish.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=101164
 

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2012 

For the salad courses, this was slightly lighter and more approachable for pleasant drinking, especially for those less feint at heart for big robust wines. This was dark garnet colored, subdued fruits of black cherry and black berry fruits accented by earthiness and tones of tobacco and brown spices with moderate tannins on the well behaved finish.

RM 90

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2631507

 Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero Nebbiolo 2008

This was an ideal finishing wine as it was quite expressive and vibrant. Bright dark garnet colored, full bodied, forward bright lively forward red berry fruits that jumped from the glass and excited the tongue, turning to full firm but manageable tannins with bright tangy acidity that projected the berry fruits on a long expressive full finish.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1315282

Normally, we'd meet and be attended to by good friend and Wine Director Jared Gelband who oversees the massive 15,000 bottle wine cellar that serves all three restaurants of Italian Village. Tonight he was consumed attending to a large party of forty in the Vivere wine dining restaurant to whom he served a selection of ten different wines (shown below).

https://italianvillage-chicago.com/

Sea Smoke Gratis, King Richards, Del Dotto Highlight Beef Tenderloin Dinner

Sea Smoke Gratis, King Richards, Del Dotto Highlight Beef Tenderloin Dinner

Saturday evening wine dinner with Dr Dan, our Lindas, and Beth visiting from SC featured beef tenderloin, haricot verts and scalloped potatoes. I pulled from the cellar this Del Dotto Estate Napa Cabernet 2001 and Fantesca King Richards Reserve Pinot Noir. Dan brought Sea Smoke Gratis Chardonnay and Chassagne Montrachet 1999.

Sea Smoke 'Gratis' Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2010

Dan brought this allocated limited production Chardonnay from his collection. At eight years, this must be at the apex of its drinking window. I cannot imagine it getting or ever being any better. This was the richest and most vibrant flavorful Chardonnay I've ever had. I've certainly never had one more enjoyable or suitable to my pallette.

Gratis Chardonnay is Sea Smoke's way of telling their direct customers 'thank you for your support!' This wine is only available to regular club members as a gift by Sea Smoke Cellars, and was not available for purchase to the general public. 

Golden colored, medium full bodied, this was rich, flavorful, a nice balance between creamy and acidic, a symphony of nicely integrated and harmonious layered flavors of layers of vanilla, toasted almonds, notes of apricot and hints of caramel with a thick mouth puckering finish.

RM 93 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1329721

https://www.seasmoke.com/

Fantesca King Richards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2008

We tasted and acquired this wine at the Fantesca Estate and Winery on Spring Mountain during one of our several visits there with Duane and Susan Hoff, proprietors.

Readers of this site know we're Cab drinkers and not normally into Pinots but this was part of the Club allocation deliveries from Fantesca. King Richard refers to Susan's father who is a Pinot lover so they arranged to acquire a Select barrel of Russian River Valley special product and bottle it under the Fantesca brand.

This was opaque garnet colored, light medium bodied and tastes like red berries, strawberry, raspberry, and notes of cranberry with tones of dusty rose, leather and tobacco.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1044739

https://fantesca.com/

Del Dotto Estate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Since Dan and Linda and Beth were with us at our visit to the Del Dotto Estate for our cave tour and estate wine tasting last year, I chose to pull a vintage Del Dotto Cab from the cellar in remembrance of that event. Also, our Delicacies Tasting at the new Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley Winery was a highlight of our Napa Valley trip last month when we acquired several cases of current release Del Dotto wine at that visit so we also need to clear out some room in the cellar and will hence replace some of the older Del Dotto with a more recent vintage release.

Consistent with earlier tastings notes, medium to full bodied, deep dark ruby color - black berry and sweet black cherry fruits accented by clove spice and a hint cassis and whisper of English toffee on the 'Rutherford Dust' moderate silky tannin finish.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=13349

Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Robert Craig Napa Valley Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Rick & Bill with Robert at
Robert Craig harvest party

For BBQ rib dinner I pulled this label from the cellar. I was eager to try this after drinking the Marco DiGuilio Mt Veeder Pym Rae Vineyard Cabernet recently, and upon researching that wine, learned it was the same site that provided fruit for this label for two decades. I also learned that the property and estate had been sold to the Tesseron family of France, producers of legendary Bordeaux Chateau Pontet Canet.

The estate was owned by the late Robin Williams, comedian and movie star, who named the vineyard after the middle names of his two kids. Robert Craig managed the property for Robin decades ago and sourced the fruit from there for this label for twenty five years. The final vintage released by Robert Craig was the 2016.

I've written often in these pages about Robert Craig and his portfolio of mountain fruit Napa Valley Cabernets from Mt Veeder, Howell Mtn, Spring Mtn, Mt George, Atlas Peak and of course Napa Valley.

We dined and tasted with Robert and Lynn Craig at the winery, in Chicago, and at numerous Napa Valley events over the years. I recall Robert saying that this label, the Mt Veeder was his favorite. Our records show we still hold over four cases of this label over fifteen vintages dating back to the inaugural vintage in 1993. Our Robert Craig collection of these labels is one of the largest holdings in our cellar collection

From here forward, from this bottle, and those remaining vintage labels in the cellar, we'll drink and savor the passing of a legendary brand/label with fondness and great memories.

 
Robert Craig Napa Valley Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

This was still drinking well but likely past the apex of its drinking window, not to improve further with aging, but still holding its own at seventeen years of age.

Dark garnet colored, medium-full bodied, bright forward firm structured backbone of tangy black cherry and blackberry fruits accented by notes of cedar, spicy oak, leather, tobacco leaf and tea with firm but smooth approachable tannins on the finish.

RM 90 point.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=48933

Shown left,

Dining with Robert and Lynn Craig, our featured wine producer, special guests at CIA back in 1998.

Fleury Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Duo

Fleury Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon  Duo

We first met Brian and Claudia Fleury at a Del Dotto Estate Winery event (see below) back in 2002. From that meeting we acquired some Fleury Estate Lauren Bryce Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from what I believe was their inaugural vintage release. How surprising then to hear son Ryan speaking of this wine and about he and some of his buddy's acquiring some of the highly allocated select wine for their cellars. Fleury Estate Napa Cab is a favorite of him and several of his colleagues who have extensive collections of numerous releases of this label. 

With this as a backdrop, Ryan and I were looking for an appropriate occasion to comparison taste our vintage releases of Fleury Napa Cabernets from our collections. A Sunday family dinner was the perfect occasion.

Fleury Estate Winery owns 50 acres of Napa vineyards dispersed in three vineyards in three appellations at three elevations. Their vineyards are located in Rutherford, St. Helena, and Howell Mountain. They have a small Rutherford production facility that produces about 4,000 cases a year that is all sold direct to consumer at the winery or via their on-line allocation membership. 


Ryan spent the day smoking and grilling a prime rib of beef. The Fleury Cab was a perfect complement to the beef, baked potatoes, grilled carrots and peppers and Linda's chocolate cake.
The Lauren Bryce label refers to the names of the two Fleury children.

Fleury Estate Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lauren Bryce 2000

This was dark garnet colored with medium full body, aromas and flavors of bright vibrant ripe dark berry and currant fruits with notes of cedar, anise, leather, mocha and oak turning to nicely integrated tannins on a lingering finish. This tasted like it was approaching the end of its apex prime drinking window, not likely to improve further with age but not yet showing signs of diminution.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=93506

Fleury Estate Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lauren Bryce 2009

This vintage was dark blackish inky colored with full body, rich concentrated bright, vibrant, forward unctuous fruits of sweet ripe dark berry, black raspberry and currant fruits with notes of dark mocha and sweet toasty oak turning to nicely integrated tannins on a full chewy lingering finish.

This was delicious, very much my preferred style and profile, but perhaps too sweet for some folks' palette!

RM 94 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1491336

http://www.fleurywinery.com/



Ryan's prime rib shown below. Historic pictures below showing Brian and Claudia Fleury, Dave, Yolanda and Desiree Del Dotto, and Nils and the late Dianne "Candy" Venge.

Brian and Claudia Fleury back in 2002

Brian and Claudia Fleury with Nils Venge, then winemaker and
Dianne "Candy" Venge..

Claudia serving at Del Dotto gala event.

Hosts for the special event,
Dave, Yolanda and Desiree Del Dotto.

Whitehall Lane Syrah 2016

Whitehall Lane Syrah 2016

We tasted and acquired this wine during our recent visit to the Whitehall Lane Napa Valley winery during our recent Napa Valley Wine Experience 2018.


We did a private tasting at the Whitehall Lane Estate Winery on St Helena Hwy just north of the town of Rutherford. This 2016 Syrah was one of the wines we selected from our private tasting and our shipment just arrived and we couldn't resist trying it again. This was ideal for easy casual sipping with some cheese and fresh fruits.


This showed dark inky purple colored and full body with layers of blueberry and currant fruits accented by notes of subdued pepper and hints of cinnamon. I defer to the eloquent and artfully drafted tasting notes from the winemaker below.


"The 2016 Luchtel Vineyard Syrah offers fragrant notes of mixed berry compote, violets, blueberry fritter, white pepper, and baking spices. On the palate, the tannins are soft and supple, while the flavors are showing sweet red currants, stewed black plums, beetroot, rhubarb, and a touch of cinnamon."

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2990406

 

Del Dotto Napa Cabernet 2000-2001

Del Dotto  Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000-2001

Following our Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Winery visit last week on our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2018 and our tasting the Cabernet Franc last evening, we opened Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 in magnum for a family gathering gala dinner. We tasted the 2000 vintage Napa Cab alongside a Château de Pez St Estephe Leognan Bordeaux of the same vintage. After we finished the 2000, we opened a 2001 for a mini-vertical comparison tasting of the label.

Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

Tasted from magnum, tonight this wine was showing remarkably well, perhaps due to the large format bottle which tends to age better and more gracefully than a standard size bottle. While the fruits were a bit subdued, it showed a solid core framework of tasty oak. This predominant layer of oak was cited by Robert Parker in his review when he wrote: "Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits plenty of new oak and black currant characteristics as well as fine texture and an attractive mid-weight style ...."

Parker did not project this wine to last for eighteen years suggesting it be consumed 'over the next 5-7 years'.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=578087



Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
 

Our Cellartracker records show we hold a dozen vintages of this wine label.  Our last tasting of the 2001 was almost three years ago when I wrote:

"Tasted alongside the '99, this is drinking at the apex of its drinking window and demonstrates the longevity of Napa Valley Cabernets. While it will not likely improve any further with aging, it still has several years to go at this level.'

'Medium to full bodied , deep dark ruby color - black berry and sweet black cherry fruits accented by clove spice and a hint cassis and whisper of English toffee on the 'Rutherford Dust' moderate silky tannin finish."

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=485814

We compared these Napa wines against a similar vintage Bordeaux.

http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2015/12/del-dotto-cabs-stolpman-syrah-for-beef.html

http://www.deldottovineyards.com/

Château de Pez St Estephe Bordeaux 2000

Son Ryan pulled from the cellar this 2000 vintage Left Bank Bordeaux to taste alongside the same vintage Napa Cab.

Garnet colored, medium bodied, black berry, cherry and plum fruits with bright acidity and notes of leather and tea; more vibrant fruit although not nearly as structured or well balanced as the Napa Cabs above, coming across a bit flabby in comparison.

RM 87 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3308

Overall, these wines were a perfect complement to grilled beef tenderloin dinner with haricot vert and scalloped potatoes. They also went with the artisan cheeses before dinner and the varied chocolate desserts, brownies and dark chocolate cake with fresh berries and whipped cream.


Additionally, Linda prepared grilled Sockeye Salmon. With the Salmon, I served a California Sauvignon Blanc 2016. 


Oak Farms Vineyards Central Valley Lodi Sauvignon Blanc 2017

The grapes are grown by Mohr Fry Ranches  in the Mokelumne River Sub AVA or the greater Lodi Appellation. The vines are from the same clone (clone 1) that had help put New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on the map. The property has 60 acres of estate vineyards with grape varietals grown on the property including: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Primitivo, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Sangiovese and Barbera.

Nice easy every day drinking in this high QPR (quality price ratio) Sauvignon Blanc.

This Sauvignon Blanc is light straw colored with light body, flavors of moderate citrus are accented by delicate tones of tropical fruits with hints of mango and passion fruit with pleasant easy drinking crisp acidity and a lingering finish.

RM 90 points. 


https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=293714

https://www.oakfarmvineyards.com/

Del Dotto Napa Cabernet Franc 1997

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 1997

Having just returned from our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2018 where we tasted Del Dotto Seven Rows Estate Napa Cabernet Franc 2015, we pulled this vintage Del Dotto Cab Franc from the cellar to compare and to reminisce about our spectacular trip. The Del Dotto Piazza Winery Delicacies wine and food pairing tasting was a highlight of our trip. It was there we tasted the current release. Looking over our purchase receipts and tasting notes, it must have been one of the favorites of the tasting as we ordered several bottles of this label as part of the numerous mixed cases we purchased.

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 1997

This bottle was showing remarkably well at 21 years of age, better that some earlier ones opened, the difference likely due to bottle variation since they were all acquired as a case purchase upon release at the time.

Despite our last tasting notes being from two years ago, tonight's experience was consistent with that last tasting experience when I wrote, "Tonight's tasting was more consistent with notes from a few years ago, dark ruby color, medium to full body, spicy black berry and black currant fruits are still vibrant in this nineteen year old, accented by tones of earthy leather, cedar and tobacco with hints of anise on the smooth tannin finish."

RM 89 points. 


https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=35491

Earlier tasting:
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2017/12/del-dotto-napa-gio-and-cab-franc-1997.html

Caymus Vineyards Estate Visit and Tasting

Caymus Vineyards Estate Visit and Tasting

Our last tasting appointment of our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2018 was a private tasting at legendary Caymus Vineyards, are one of the most well known and established brands in Napa Valley dating back to 1972. Since then their production has grown from 240 to 65000 cases per year. They're most known for Caymus Cabernet - their two Cabernets Sauvignons; “Napa Valley” and the venerable “Special Selection”. Both are crafted by winemaker, founder and patriarch Chuck Wagner.

Caymus have managed to continue to produce respectable Cabernets despite their large growth in production. Both wines are known for early gratification, drinkability when young, as well as aging ability. We hold many vintages of Caymus Cabernet and Caymus Special Select dating back to the 1990 vintage.

A couple years ago, for their fortieth anniversary, Caymus changed their packaging with a new label design and new foil that prominently featured the number '40'. Each year since, they increment the number representing the number of years that they have been producing Caymus Cabernet. We purchased a collection of that label and every one since, as our wedding anniversary coincides with the same number of years as Caymus. Ever since, we serve Caymus Cabernet as part of our 'shared; anniversary celebration. That first year's celebration is featured in this linked blogspot post. Last year's anniversary celebration was featured in this linked blogspot. 

Caymus Vineyards remains 100% family-owned by the Wagners, elder Charlie, Lorna Belle, and Chuck who are joined by the next generation, Chuck's two sons, Charlie and Joe, and daughter, Jenny. They farm about 350 acres of choice Napa Valley vineyards.

Caymus is named for the historic Mexican land grant known as Rancho Caymus, given to George Yount in 1836, which encompassed what eventually became the town of Rutherford and much of the surrounding area.

The Caymus portfolio has grown with new labels that include the Emmolo and Mer Soleil brands.

The Emmolo brand is named after the mother of Jenny Wagner. Emolo wines are sourced from fruit from the family Estate north of the Caymus property in the Rutherford district of Napa Valley. Jenny’s great grandfather emigrated from Italy in 1923 to settle in Napa Valley and planted vine stock nursery. Her grandfather planted vineyards in the 1950’s and her mother started producing Emmollo wines in 1994.

The Mer Soleil label is the handiwork of Charlie Wagner. He sources grapes from a number of properties from Sonoma to Santa Barbara. Mer Soleil means sea and sun referring to the coastal vineyards from which the grapes are sourced. The brand tends to feature Burgundian grape varietals Pinot Noir and Chardonnay which are more suited to such sites.

Like some of our other producer visits this week, we scheduled a private tasting at Caymus to experience some of the brands' labels that are limited production and available only at the winery or directly from the producer.  Of the six wines we tasted, only two are such offerings, the Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and Caymus Estate Napa Valley Zinfandel.

In retrospect our tasting visit was a source of major agitation and aggravation when we learned after the fact, reading on their website, that the tasting fee is waived with the purchase of four bottles of wine. We purchased three, one, and would've naturally bought another since it would've essentially been gratis when factoring in the tasting fee. It would've been nice had we been offered this or told of this policy when were there. Our image of the brand will forever be tainted by this shortsightedness as we feel shorted.

Note we purchased the labels not in general or limited in distribution, the Pinot and Zinfandel, and another label not tasted, Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif, all of varietals we don't generally collect for longer term cellaring. The Bordeaux varietals we normally collect and drink that were tasted, are generally available in distribution and at our local merchant, hence there was no need to acquire at the winery to ship home.

Our tasting flight:

Emmolo Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Mer Soleil Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2015

Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2016

This is the first inaugural release of this Pinot Noir label, sourced from vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation in coastal central California.

This was garnet colored, medium bodied, bright flavors of cherry, strawberry and subtle cranberry accented by a layer of bacon fat, earth and spices with soft tannins on a lingering finish.

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2949226

Caymus Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Caymus Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Caymus Special Selection is the flagship wine of the Wagner family and is comprised of the very best barrels of the vintage.

We hold this wine in several vintages including the 1990 release which was Wine Spectator wine of the year and is birth year wine of Son Alec.

Caymus Estate Napa Valley Zinfandel 2016

The label says this is produced by Caymus in Fairfield, CA. This is a very limited production label available only at the winery that has actually been produced since 1975. According to our server, this is a favorite of Chuck Wagner, personally produced since the earliest days for personal consumption, and available in small quantities from the winery direct.

Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif 2016

We also purchased this wine to try as we're fans of Sirah and Petit Sirah. Fruit for this wine is sourced from the Suisun Valley located in the California Central Valley about forty minutes east of Napa Valley. The fruit for this wine is the Durif grape varietal which is also known as Petite Sirah.

Watch for our tasting experience.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2974168

http://www.caymus.com/

Cakebread Cellars Reserve Tasting

Cakebread Cellars Reserve Tasting

We all know Cakebread Cellars with their wide distribution of their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. But, few realize that only three of their 25+ labels actually are in distribution. The rest of their collection of labels are available only at the winery or to wine club members. Hence, Cakebread was one of our shortlist targeted producers for this year's Napa Valley Wine Experience.

After forty years, Cakebread Cellars is still a family owned and operated business. It is one of the early pioneers in the modern era of Napa Valley wines, founded in 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread. The first Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (’74 vintage) was released in 1976 from fruit at the Estate behind the house on Hwy 29 in Rutherford. 

Son Bruce Cakebread joined the family business in 1979 full-time as winemaker after graduating from UC Davis. That year, five fermenters were installed outside the front barn with refrigeration being hooked up the night before the grapes arrived. In 1982, Jack Cakebread purchased the 12 acre ranch adjacent to the original estate site and planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Son Dennis Cakebread joined the winery in 1986 and to this day is responsible for finance along with sales and marketing. That year, Julianne Laks’ 1st year as Assistant Winemaker..

Today, Cakebread Cellars has vineyard properties located throughout Napa Valley and a location in the Anderson Valley. The winery ranches surrounding the production facility in Rutherford are where it all began when the first 22 acre parcel was purchased in 1972.

Over the years, the Cakebread family has continued to acquire additional vineyard parcels throughout Napa Valley and the North Coast. Today, the winery owns 15 sites totaling 1617 acres, 584 of which are currently planted, which allows them to be fully vertically integrated, and to provide consumers with consistent supply of product for their growing array of labels, many vineyard and appellation specific offerings, each with their distinctive terrior.

Cakebread offer a range of tastings at the Estate Winery on St Helena Highway 29 in Rutherford. We chose the Reserve tasting so we could sample what they consider their signature, best wines.Notably, these Reserve or Select wines are only available at the winery or to wine club members.

Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

In 1998, Cakebread purchased 200 acres on Howell Mountain and commenced development of these hillside vineyards into what becomes Dancing Bear Ranch. The property got its name from Black Bears the roamed the site and 'danced' amonge the vines tearing them up during the night. The first vintage of Dancing Bear Ranch is released in 2002.

Dancing Bear Ranch is located on the upper slopes of Howell Mountain in the Northeastern Napa Valley at upper elevations ranging from 1450’ to over 1600’ above sea level and a near 360 degree exposure. The mountainous site spans 194 acres of which only 29 are planted. The varietals planted there are all Bordeaux varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The vines there are stressed, being rooted in shallow, rocky soils, ideal growing conditions for wine grapes. With its isolated mountainous locations, the site is home to a wide range of wildlife, including: turkeys, mountain lions, bobcats and of course, bear.

This vintage release is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot.

Robert Parker gave this wine 96 points.

Dense inky black purple color, full bodied, rich thick concentrated but nicely polished and integrated  flavors of blackberry and black raspberry fruits accented by tones of cassis, hints of tar, dark mocha and a touch of cinnamon spice on the lingering tongue coating finish.

RM 95 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2822548https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2822548


Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Benchland Select 2014

Cakebread started producing Benchland Select with the 1995 vintage. This is named for the vineyard sources, two gently sloping western 'benchlands' of Rutherford and Oakville in the heart of Napa Valley.

Dark garnet colored, medium-full bodied, smooth polished, elegant, nicely integrated fruits of blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry accented by a layer of mocha chocolate, hints of cinnamon spice and sweet, toasty oak turning to supple, polished tannins.

RM 94 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2624744






Cakebread Cellars Vaca, Red Wine Blend 2014

This was added to tasting flight based on my inquiries about Cabernet Franc in their wines. This is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon & 4% Cabernet Franc.

This is only the third vintage of Vaca, named for the vineyard sources, two of Cakebread's three Napa Valley hillside estates – Doggwood (52%) and Suscol Springs (48%) – on the western slopes of the Vaca Mountain Range, which forms the eastern boundary of Napa Valley. Both are high-elevation sites with steep, angled slopes that provide much sun exposures, and well-drained, rocky, volcanic soils that yield grapes with deeply concentrated flavors. Some of the fruit comes from their Suscol Springs Vineyard, east of the town of Napa. It is the coolest of our three Vaca Range estates. (Doggwood and Dancing Bear are the others.) Its vines are planted in rocky outcrops overlooking the Napa Valley floor. The Doggwood Vineyard is located further north above Conn Dam near Napa’s eastern ridgeline in a warm, bowl-like valley that provides multiple sun exposures. The elevation and thin, rocky soils of these sites naturally limit grape yields and produce small clusters with intense, powerful flavors.

This was dark inky purple colored , medium full-bodied nicely balanced, rich blackberry, black cherry and plum fruits predominate, notes of leather, tobacco leaf and herbs with hints of soft oak, with fleshy but smooth soft tannins on the lingering finish.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2498607

Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve 2016

Scenes of Cakebread Cellars and Estate, Rutherford ...

Cakebread Tasting Table

Cakebread Cellars Barrel Room

Cakebread  Cellars estate grounds

Jack and Delores Cakebread's original homestead cottage,
on the grounds of the Estate