Wine Reviews
Founded in the early 1970s, Cakebread Cellars began with a land purchase in Rutherford and now owns 243ha of vines across 16 vineyards, mostly in Napa. Winemaker at the time Stephanie Jacobs usually included a dash of Cabernet in this bottling. Merlot from Suscol Springs Ranch in the valley’s cooler southeast joins fruit from warmer valley-floor sites in the Rutherford AVA. Ageing for 17 months in 44% new French oak gives this wine plushness. Ronan Sayburn MS: Nose is open, floral and ripe. Sweet summer berry fruit and a little graphite. Lean minerality on an elegant palate. A refined wine. Eugenio Egorov: Vibrant, fresh. Redcurrant and blackcurrant with notes of black pepper and sweet tobacco. Lively acidity and good structure. Ben Gubbins: Dark fruits, toasty mocha, blackberry jam, bramble leaf and vanilla on the nose. Refreshing acidity. Powerful, almost hedonistic.
The 2017 Merlot is deep, fruity and quite expressive. Black cherry, plum new leather, dried herbs and spice are nicely layered in a deep, resonant Merlot.
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it has a softly spoken nose of warm plums, blackberry pie and Black Forest cake with suggestions of menthol, tobacco and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is gently swathed in soft, plush tannins and has loads of juicy black fruits, lifted with a lively line of freshness and finishing with a minty kick.
The 2015 Cakebread Cellars Merlot instantly begins with a fantastic aromatic range, consisting of of wild blackberry, cassis, plum, green pepper, graphite and tobacco. It possesses a lovely voluptous texture and full body, with concentrated flavors of ripe blue and black fruits that envelope the palate. Overall, this is an absolutely delicious Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc, which is already drinking tremendously well.
Deep, lovely aromas of ripe black cherry and blackcurrant fruit are complemented by light floral notes in the nose of this plush, supple Merlot. Rich, concentrated flavors of ripe blackberry, black plum and blackcurrant fill the lush palate, framed by fine-grained tannins, leading to a long finish showcasing bright black cherry, berry and mineral tones.
