February 2, 2024 - Opened from cellar and sipped -- very closed with a harsh back palate. Decanted it, and then drank it starting two hours later. Much improved -- more fruit noticeable, and the harshness had resolved. Kept improving with time, so if you drink it soon I'd give it plenty of air time. Dark fruits were predominant on the palate. This was fairly dense but had good complexity. It tended more toward heavy and plodding than velvety, however, keeping it from scoring higher. Overall, a nice wine; it paired nicely with grilled NY Strip and baked potato. (Quite a bit of sediment, so I would recommend decanting before serving.)
October 5, 2023 - 2013 Cade Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Cellared since purchase in 2014. Opened and decanted with a steak dinner on October 4, 2023.
The wine color was deep purple to the rim in the glass.
There was subtle black fruit but definite vanilla on the nose. The wine featured full and rich Cabernet fruit, and was definitely fruit driven. There was appreciable oak in the wine but no tertiary development. All of the "action" was up front. That is to say, there was no complexity and a very short finish. There was evident tannin which may allow further development.
For now however, it is a monolithic, Napa California Cabernet.
88 Points
December 16, 2022 - This wine has medium intensity aromas of dark berries. On the palate, this full bodied wine has blackberry and dark cherry flavors and hints of leather. The tannins have softened since I last tasted in 2020 and the sediment in the bottle was proof of that. I felt it was even better the next day.
October 24, 2022 - My thoughts are consistent with most others. Great right now. Probably a few years ahead of it but no reason to wait. In terms of price, I’ve long since forgotten how this arrived in the cellar … but it’s very nice to drink so, if you have some now, don’t be shy
July 8, 2021 - An excellent bottle of wine. Nice nose followed by a smooth melody of black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit. Pleasant finish.
July 5, 2021 - Smooth and robust. Excellent.
May 21, 2021 - "Inky," says the wife. "Dark cherry," say I. "Good," we agree, as we finish the bottle lickety-split. The dry tannins dominate at first, and then, with air, they don't disappear but move to the background, as the dark fruitiness emerges. At $110 a bottle, the value proposition is a little sketchy, but there's no doubt that this is a tasty beverage, and that the 2013 is completely ready to drink now.
May 18, 2021 - Needed only an hour to hit its stride.....soft, feminine mouthfeel, gentle aging components of light garnet color and ever so subtle aged red fruit.....nose of pronounced sage/herbs....takes almost 3-4 hours to lessen. This is in a very good place right now. I don't see it getting any better from here. 93 bordering on a 94.....
March 7, 2021 - Very solid. Can still cellar for a while. Nice with a grilled ribeye.
August 19, 2020 - Rich, dark, blackberry fruit with notes of cassis, lavender and bitter chocolate deliver a full, round mouthfeel with this terrific cabernet. Absolutely needs an hour decant to unlock all its secondary flavors. Despite its full, fruit forward style, it pairs nicely with many foods.