Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Dark Ruby with aromas of black fruits and complex notes of spice, herb and earth. It was a cooler season in 2010, resulting in higher acidity that made this wine big and needed a lot more time in the bottle, than the last time I tried in order to soften the massive tannin structure. On the palate plum and blackberry flavors with some nutty notes, wet stone and earthy herbs show harmoniously on the palate. Full body, fine tannins with a deep rich long finish. A Gem! Tasting well now! — 5 years ago

Angelo Casagrande

9.0

Deep purple and an amazing floral nose. tv14%, higher in alcohol than I’ve seen with Lacrima, but u can’t taste it. This wine is so unusual- no other grape that I know of ( my brother will correct me?) has a nose and taste like this. Tannins are there but in check. Went great with pappadelle and pancetta/ tomato sauce. — 5 years ago

Matt

9.4

Happy to see how this has developed. Still has lift and more freshness than some CNDP, but its settled into its own, the balance of acid, alcohol, and tannin and settled in nicely. Strawberry compote, Christmas spice cake, dried lavender, licorice root, black tea, sweet meat, slight hint of beef broth. Seems like another day will unfold more. Surprised with how some of the 2011’s have aged, given how charming and open knit they were on release. Day 2 is another wine, the stoney mineral and spice notes have really came to the front; Allspice Dram, baked rocks, iron, cinnamon and clove. Without the lush fruit the wines structure is way more apparent, its become more rectangular in shape and the higher elevation site seems to come through on the acid and tannin. — 6 years ago

Dawn E.

9.1

Here is my #fridaycabernetfix ! Not sure of the "somewhat low ratings" on this! This wine is really good! Super Smooth...dark fruits..molasses..sage..leather...vanilla..nice long finish! I picked this up for $40..pretty comparable ..previous purchases at a much higher price point.

Update..post 4 days vacuum pumped and in Refrigerator..this wine has lost some ground ..once being opened. Not bad..but heavy on the oak..and loss of acidity present post 1 hr. Decant. Not bad....just different.... — 6 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

Really nice aromatics apricot nice acidity ( however it wouldn’t offend me if it were a bit higher) the abv is 14 % however it doesn’t seem out of balance. Honeysuckle medium bodied — 7 years ago

Jay Boberg

8.9

Very extracted - lush and fruit driven - a heart 15.1 % alcohol offered on the label but my sense is that it is higher — 8 years ago

Kristen Grimes

9.0

Get to Know Cab Franc Class. Green and vegetal (but not straight up bell pepper), not much fruit, crunchy leaves. Lots of vegetal flavors and higher tannin. #gotm2020 — 5 years ago

Paul J

9.1

Disappointing! I used to be a big fan of this producer, but recent bottles have been lacking.

1 hour decant. Dark purple color. Nose has oak, vanilla, and plum. The body lacks depth and has almost no fruit. More New World than Old World. Short finish. My rating might be harsh at 91, but just had higher expectations. — 5 years ago

with Brooke

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pretty sure I haven’t had a better bottle of Champange at $24.99 and even some higher.

The nose reveals; bruised green apple & Bosc pear, lemon meringue, overripe & slightly sour pineapple, lime zest, nougat, vanillin, soft honeycomb, oysters, sea spray, baguette crust, grey volcanic, pleasant chalkiness, whiffs of herbaceousiness, spring flowers, mixed greens and yellow lilies.

The entry is clean, fresh, rich and lively. Bruised green apple & Bosc pear, lemon meringue, golden apple, overripe & slightly sour pineapple, lime zest, nougat, vanillin, caramel, soft honeycomb, sea fossils & spray, baguette crust, nice white spice with some palate heat, grey volcanic, pleasant chalkiness, whiffs of herbaceousiness, spring flowers, mixed greens and yellow lilies. Crisp lively acidity. The finish is refreshingly delicious, well balanced, good, seamless, delineation, nice polish and persists with spice for several minutes on the long set.

Photos of; The House of Baron Fuentes, grapes at harvest, Proprietor Eric De Brisis and one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 5 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of beautiful of ruby, clear with grapefruit note on the rim. Nose is plenty with dried strawberries, aldehyde, oak, leather, spice, feels like high quality armarone or CduRh. Taste follows the nose with right amount of tannins, acidity, peppery, yet a bit too much bittersweet. Aftertaste of some more oak, juicy grapes, lingering flavors. Just slightly off balanced to miss even higher ranking. — 6 years ago

Scott Calvert

10

Even after 20 years the wine was quite lovely. It was subtle fruity with a bit of eucalyptus. Tannins had ascended to a higher plane of existence . We drank the wine to celebrate my brother’s 20 anniversary. Unfortunately we have aged more quickly than the wine, but we are hanging in!
— 7 years ago

Charlie Abbott

Sommelier Casa Mono

9.1

Maturing nicely. Would rate higher but couldn't shake bitter espresso character...these wines are certainly marked more by oak than other traditional houses imho — 8 years ago

Michael Mathews

9.1

Wow. Beautiful. Totally disagree with the ratings here....much better, much higher quality wine. Earthy. Dark, luscious. The nose is strong and over powering at times, but the taste and finish are elegant, smooth and sexy. Just awesome! — 8 years ago

with Brad, Mike and 3 others

Scott Soren

9.5

@Epoch Estate Wines nails it. Singing Grenache. Big florals on the nose. Crushed raspberries. The mouthfeel drives a long finish with higher acidity. Macerated raspberries and hints of eucalyptus. Just awesome juice — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

Deep medium ruby with no sign of development. Musky aromas of blackberry, blueberry, soy sauce and licorice; almost liqueur-like. Huge, savory and utterly silky on entry, then plush and superconcentrated in the middle palate, boasting blackberry, licorice and mineral flavors of incredible intensity and penetrating sweetness. Utterly palate-staining in its breadth. Leaves the palate vibrating with black fruits and licorice pastille. When I originally tasted this wine from barrel, I noted that it was one of the greatest California Cabernets I had tasted to that point. This massive, three-dimensional wine finishes with huge, noble tannins and outstanding rising length. I suspect it's just embarking on its plane of peak drinkability, which might last another two decades. This may be the longest Cabernet of the 2001 vintage. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, June 2020)
— 5 years ago

Adam Halverson

9.3

Really good, smooth and enjoyable Pinot, higher price for me at $23 for the 2018 vintage but I’d buy it again at that price! — 5 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Another great older Dunn HM that is drinking well in a Bordeaux style. This had the higher acid, lower alcohol & ripeness that I love in older Cali Cabs with lots of dry, sweet red cherry, berry fruits, cedar, dried herbs, licorice spice, & tobacco. — 6 years ago

Michael gayle

9.1

Cakebread wines are all amazing. You can drink the cab by itself and by yourself. So Smoothe on the pallet. Pair it with food cast iron grilled salmon or fillet mignon is asking for trouble. Do not open this bottle if you have any task left to complete. After 2 glasses you will not return to any work left undone. I would rate it higher if the price were lower. — 7 years ago

Andrew Lam

9.0

Had higher expectations for this... will need to try another bottle. — 7 years ago

Benjamin Keator

9.5

Dry, tannic, higher sugar, coffee. Tasted blind and completely missed the mark on this one. Thought is was a high end Cali Cab — 8 years ago

with Jake, Colby and 1 other