Was given this bottle as a gift and wanted to write up a note given my love of this property and fond memories of visiting this place often over the last few years: The folks at Cakebread on Sauv Blanc have really come full circle...I remember drinking this wine many years ago and it was 100% stainless steel, super acid, stone fruit and grapefruit, kiwi - great summer wine and something to really warm up the palate with ... I loved it for what it was. Straightforward and easy to drink. I had not returned to this bottle (no good reason just exploring some other things in the meantime), and was very surprised with the new approach. The recent iteration of this sauv blanc is stainless steel, kissed w/ a good deal of toasted oak. I think it's interesting that they've gone in this direction and I wonder if it's the vineyard responding to market trends, their costumers needs/requests or just innovating on an old classic style. Either way, I am pleased to see some folks embrace sauv blanc w/ a little toasted oak on occasion but this one borders on being just a touch over the top. Alcohol was nearly 14.5% and it didn't have the markings of what I'd traditionally expect from sauv blanc, even one with some barrel on it. That said, different and interesting. My fiancé notes that it bordered on a secondary fermented chardonnay and that was hard to disagree with. This wine has a time and a place. If you are used to traditional NZ style sauv blanc or Sancerre, stay away from this wine but if you want something that is a little richer, butterscotch toasted marshmallow and stone fruit, this might be in your wheelhouse. Either way, I'd pair this wine with food if you do open it, it's too rich on it's own. Interesting to see a style of wine change so dramatically in the course of 5-6 years. I'll be curious to see how they are manipulating sauv blanc in another 5.
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Citrus melon grass and mineral flavors with balanced oak good finish as well. Paired well with bacon wrapped chicken breasts stuffed with Boursin cheese and roasted cherry tomatoes.
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Cork looked wet on the top but wine seemed to be ok. Enjoyed with assorted meats and cheeses over the course of the evening. Plenty of citrus, some bitter, grass and mineral notes, without being too heavy. Drink now.
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Very nice S.Blanc -- went really good with tart salad as it cut the vinegar. The fresh fruit aromas are also pronounced -- Good bottle at right price point.
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Un vin qui a trompé mon palais ligérien, et que j’ai placé en première position de la dernière vague. Un vin frais, sur le silex et les arômes métalliques, d’une rondeur surprenante, avec une finale légèrement amère.
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Goldberg m'avait enligné sur le Pessac et je dois dire que ça me faisait effectivement penser à du blanc bordelais. Légèrement boisé avec quelques notes vanillées. Très mur, avec une amertume très présente et un peu d'alcool, mais tout ça sans excès. Pas mon style de SB préféré, mais on doit reconnaître que c'est bien fait.
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Pale, clear color, grassy, minerally, flint. Smooth on palate with medium body. Crisp, not quite so flinty/ minerally as a sancerre, heavier body. Nice with chicken.
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A nice Napa Sauvignon Blanc, crisp and clean without the grass or cat p that you get from some NZ SBs. No formal notes, my wife enjoyed most if it. Had the wine with cheese fondue.
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Sauvignon Blanc isn't a favorite of mine, but this one is passable. Summer fruit flavors of citrus melon and oak- but some bitterness midway was distracting.
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Nice easy drinking S.Blanc. It could have had more citrus or vanailla but it was one of the more subtle S.Blnac had recently. Nice for sitting outside.
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Tasted at winery – pale lemon, clear. Nose of tropical fruits, some citrus. Flavours of green apple, lemon grass, slight creaminess. Medium body, high acidity with a medium finish. Drink now. Good.
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Pale straw color. Very clear at the rim. Pear, citrus, lime and lemon peel. The finish is lively with very high yet balanced acidity. Refreshing finish to say the least displaying some surprising body. A nice and uniquely structured Sauvignon Blanc.
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10/8/2012 - BCharlieG wrote: 87 Points
Was given this bottle as a gift and wanted to write up a note given my love of this property and fond memories of visiting this place often over the last few years: The folks at Cakebread on Sauv Blanc have really come full circle...I remember drinking this wine many years ago and it was 100% stainless steel, super acid, stone fruit and grapefruit, kiwi - great summer wine and something to really warm up the palate with ... I loved it for what it was. Straightforward and easy to drink. I had not returned to this bottle (no good reason just exploring some other things in the meantime), and was very surprised with the new approach. The recent iteration of this sauv blanc is stainless steel, kissed w/ a good deal of toasted oak. I think it's interesting that they've gone in this direction and I wonder if it's the vineyard responding to market trends, their costumers needs/requests or just innovating on an old classic style. Either way, I am pleased to see some folks embrace sauv blanc w/ a little toasted oak on occasion but this one borders on being just a touch over the top. Alcohol was nearly 14.5% and it didn't have the markings of what I'd traditionally expect from sauv blanc, even one with some barrel on it. That said, different and interesting. My fiancé notes that it bordered on a secondary fermented chardonnay and that was hard to disagree with. This wine has a time and a place. If you are used to traditional NZ style sauv blanc or Sancerre, stay away from this wine but if you want something that is a little richer, butterscotch toasted marshmallow and stone fruit, this might be in your wheelhouse. Either way, I'd pair this wine with food if you do open it, it's too rich on it's own. Interesting to see a style of wine change so dramatically in the course of 5-6 years. I'll be curious to see how they are manipulating sauv blanc in another 5.
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4/8/2012 - scottmlew wrote: 87 Points
Very crisp. Nice citrus and melon. Great standalone or with italian meats.
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8/15/2011 - ecola Does not like this wine: 83 Points
Not sure if this is a chard or sauv blanc. Over oaked, fruit characters are hidden. A little citrus and melon, but nothing exciting.
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6/23/2011 - Winiac wrote: 85 Points
Somewhat oaky. but has fair balance on drinking alone. Cannot stand food though. Somewhat disappointing.
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1/16/2011 - scottmlew wrote: 86 Points
Citrus melon grass and mineral flavors with balanced oak good finish as well.
Paired well with bacon wrapped chicken breasts stuffed with Boursin cheese and roasted cherry tomatoes.
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11/20/2010 - scottmlew wrote: 86 Points
Cork looked wet on the top but wine seemed to be ok. Enjoyed with assorted meats and cheeses over the course of the evening. Plenty of citrus, some bitter, grass and mineral notes, without being too heavy. Drink now.
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10/10/2010 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 90 Points
Nice sitting on the deck on a hot day under the sun wine -- loved it today!
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10/5/2010 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 90 Points
Very nice S.Blanc -- went really good with tart salad as it cut the vinegar. The fresh fruit aromas are also pronounced -- Good bottle at right price point.
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10/2/2010 - Steve Jones wrote: 90 Points
Acid balance, citrus, big flavor, nice body, crips but not light. A bigger SB, very well done.
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9/23/2010 - BigJul wrote:
Un vin qui a trompé mon palais ligérien, et que j’ai placé en première position de la dernière vague. Un vin frais, sur le silex et les arômes métalliques, d’une rondeur surprenante, avec une finale légèrement amère.
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9/19/2010 - ludwigbpm wrote: 89 Points
Goldberg m'avait enligné sur le Pessac et je dois dire que ça me faisait effectivement penser à du blanc bordelais. Légèrement boisé avec quelques notes vanillées. Très mur, avec une amertume très présente et un peu d'alcool, mais tout ça sans excès. Pas mon style de SB préféré, mais on doit reconnaître que c'est bien fait.
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8/30/2010 - agosain wrote:
enjoyed with five-spice roasted salmon
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8/5/2010 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 89 Points
Consistent notes
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3/30/2010 - wine n joy wrote: 89 Points
Pale, clear color, grassy, minerally, flint. Smooth on palate with medium body. Crisp, not quite so flinty/ minerally as a sancerre, heavier body. Nice with chicken.
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2/13/2010 - njAndrew wrote: 91 Points
A nice Napa Sauvignon Blanc, crisp and clean without the grass or cat p that you get from some NZ SBs. No formal notes, my wife enjoyed most if it. Had the wine with cheese fondue.
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1/1/2010 - bmancini15 wrote: 86 Points
About what we had expected, good acidity, good citrus, grapefruit on the attack and that nice minerally hint of flint on the finish.
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11/29/2009 - jasonkle wrote: 84 Points
Okay. Too crisp for me. Not complex either.
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11/23/2009 - scottmlew wrote: 85 Points
Sauvignon Blanc isn't a favorite of mine, but this one is passable. Summer fruit flavors of citrus melon and oak- but some bitterness midway was distracting.
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8/27/2009 - DTWOB wrote: 86 Points
Good start for the evening's wine, but not remarkable.
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7/29/2009 - peternelson wrote: 88 Points
SWE: Silky silky lemon hint, hay grass; soft entry mde. a’s; apple, thick, higher alc. Good solid sumptupous wien.
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7/26/2009 - zeenichka wrote:
wonderful nose, melon, citrus, love this wine, good finish and excellent to have on a warm CA day.
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7/24/2009 - nycsrd wrote: 85 Points
Nice but really not notable besides the flinty taste
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7/23/2009 - nycsrd wrote: 84 Points
Nice, but not memorable
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7/9/2009 - brianst wrote: 90 Points
Drank at ruths chris walnut creek. Very nice.
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6/23/2009 - jonfoil wrote: 90 Points
A delightful SB! Drank on the HK's deck while enjoying our 8th anniversary afternoon.
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5/7/2009 - xwine wrote:
At Deuce with the gang. Grassy nose, with more on the palate, along with slight anise. Very fresh. It does have a note of sulfur.
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5/2/2009 - ews3 wrote: 88 Points
Philadelphia Wine Festival (Marriott, Philadelphia PA): weightier than many SBs with some oak behind the melon and citrus flavors
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5/2/2009 - jrobs7777 wrote:
The Eighth Annual Philadelphia Wine Festival (Philadelphia Marriott Downtown): Good summer wine. Not very notable.
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4/19/2009 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 88 Points
Nice easy drinking S.Blanc. It could have had more citrus or vanailla but it was one of the more subtle S.Blnac had recently. Nice for sitting outside.
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4/3/2009 - wino_tim wrote: 85 Points
Plush, soft, and indulgent with creamy melon and fig fruit flavors, soft acidity, and well integrated oak.
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3/18/2009 - godx wrote: 87 Points
Tasted at winery – pale lemon, clear. Nose of tropical fruits, some citrus. Flavours of green apple, lemon grass, slight creaminess. Medium body, high acidity with a medium finish. Drink now. Good.
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9/25/2008 - beezer6 wrote: 91 Points
Pale straw color.
Very clear at the rim.
Pear, citrus, lime and lemon peel.
The finish is lively with very high yet balanced acidity. Refreshing finish to say the least displaying some surprising body.
A nice and uniquely structured Sauvignon Blanc.
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