Full-bodied, with a silky smooth, creamy texture. Ripe notes of lemons, lemon custard, stonefruit, apples, melon, yeast, butterscotch, whiffs of vanilla and spice, and a hint of florality. Offers complexity, structure, and grip, and closes with a crisp, mineral-inflected finish.
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Cellar to chiller, opened and poured. First impression made me want to reach for a decanter as though it were a cab needing air. Not nearly as round and flavorful as I remember it being a few months ago. Candidly this bottle did not measure up to the Cakebread Reserve standard we have known; perhaps a recently compromised cork or something else odd uniquely impacted this bottle. Last of the '06s, looking forward to '07s & '08 before long. No need to search out the '06 again with '08s awaiting in the cellar. 88-
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- Light gold color. It's balanced with a medium/full body. Polished texture - Very pleasant wine. Very good with fish. Would search out to buy this white even though I am a red wine snob and never "search out whites".
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Disappointing. And I have been disappointed by Cakebread before. This wine and possibly this vitner is over rated. Nose - mineral and citrus. Palette - mineral, citrus, oak, no honey notes. Did not improve with decanting.
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A Napa Chard but a great one when you are in the mood for the style. I enjoyed this one better then the last, more integrated, less oak, nice acidity. Citrus and apple with nice acid on the finish. This wine is nice now and can easily go for a few more years.
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Large-scaled and intense with nice ripe citrus and tropical fruits, while retaining a typical Chardonnay profile. This is reasonably well balanced, but I could have gone for more acidity and a greater mineral presence. This was absolutely eviscerated by the 07 Sauzet Puligny that we drank alongside it.
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Medium, straw yellow in color. Aromas of honeysuckle, citrus, apple and melon combined with mellowing background of oak. The wine is well balanced with enough acidity to handle cream sauces. Flavors of toast and green apples with an evolving minerality on the finish. I tasted this wine a few times over the last year and it is definitely improving with age.
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Solid drink that showed well across the two nights it was open. It begins with plenty of tropical freshness sitting beside a clean chardonnay character of Fuji apples, minerals and peach shortcake. I wasn't expecting the Old World meets New World balance. That's not to say that this could be mistaken for anything but Northern California, but thankfully, it managed a lot of freshness and very lively acids - with only a touch (vs the usual heavy-handedness) of excess oak. The best years have yet to come for this wine, but if opening now, don't be afraid to aerate it for 30-60 minutes. 14,3% abv, drink thru 2016, approx $55.
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What a great CA chard, even slightly better then the previous bottle tasted a few days ago because this one was slightly cooler, definitely one of our favorite whites. Enjoyed New Year's eve with good CT wine buddies neighborbill and sidboy with outstanding fresh seafood. Tasting experience very similar to previous bottle, dark gold, clear, good mouth feel, very well balanced with hints of butter and oak. Nose darker then expected with burnt sugar, ripe peach and vanilla, primary flavors included well balanced oak and butter with apple, peach and Christmas mulling spices. Too expensive to be a reasonable QPR but definitely recommend this wine.
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A great Napa Chard. Buttery mouth-feel with smooth oak but not overdone or fake, perfect balance because of the acids. Apple and tropical fruits on the palate with a smooth finish. I am not a big Chard fan but this one is good.
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Our first bottle of the reserve chard, really a great wine, thoroughly enjoyed this. Dark gold, clear, good mouth feel, slightly buttery and oaky but very well balanced in both regards, actually improved days two and three. Nose darker then expected with burnt sugar, ripe peach and vanilla, primary flavors included well balanced touches of oak and butter with dark apple and cooking spices. Too expensive to be a reasonable QPR but definitely recommendthis wine, very very good, our first of 6 bottles.
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50+5+13+17+7 Beautiful nose of spiced tropical fruit. Perfect acidity and pineapple with light pastry on the palate. Fantastic chardonnay with lingering finish of tropical fruit.
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Exceptional. A truly pleasurable treat. The nose is a balance of minerality and cedar/oak, but lightly done. The taste is a tease between the gently exposed oak and the lush acidic grapefruit and apple. Served with a beef Bourguignonne dish, oh the horror, why not a Burgundy, or a Bordeaux; but this Reserve was up to the challenge and was a crowd pleaser.
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what a treat. highly underrated at 91 considering how many lesser wines receive the same rating. at least a 92 if not more as it grows and matures. unmistakeable carneros chard but with great depth, fullness and intensity. grows significantly in the glass. shy on the nose but very giving on the palate. hopefully, everything will come around in time. my new house wine for as long as the house is new.
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Tasted at winery – medium lemon, clear. Nose of butter, pit fruit, heavy oak. Flavours of toasty oak, tropical fruits and mineral. Medium to full body, medium to high acidity with a medium finish. Creamy palate. Need some time. Good.
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11/1/2015 - Mtn Cellar wrote:
Beautiful, aged perfectly!
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4/12/2015 - Mtn Cellar wrote: 95 Points
Perfection!
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3/14/2015 - rmussle Likes this wine: 90 Points
Surprisingly good for the age. Drink now, but definitely enjoy!
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1/18/2015 - Mtn Cellar wrote:
Open and let breath, has aged nicely but is ready to drink! Mild and drinkable. We have three more in the cellar and will enjoy sooner than later.
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5/7/2014 - garygailkrivan Likes this wine: 90 Points
We thought this was a good chard, maybe just headed for the downslope.
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9/15/2013 - Wineshington wrote: 89 Points
Maybe a bit on the down slope. If you have it, drink it.
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11/28/2012 - rc@ughey wrote: 88 Points
Much nicer than expected. Well balanced and richly fruited. Nothing extraordinary here, but this is a pretty good wine.
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10/13/2012 - Zeroskyy wrote: 98 Points
Wonderful bouquet and flavor. Smells of early spring: light dew, grass, honey. Yellowish-green in color.
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7/17/2012 - pmckinney wrote: 91 Points
Still great with Salmon.
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6/17/2012 - Baron Slick wrote: 91 Points
Full-bodied, with a silky smooth, creamy texture. Ripe notes of lemons, lemon custard, stonefruit, apples, melon, yeast, butterscotch, whiffs of vanilla and spice, and a hint of florality. Offers complexity, structure, and grip, and closes with a crisp, mineral-inflected finish.
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12/11/2011 - Nicktm24 wrote: 91 Points
Had next to far niente... Liked much better
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12/4/2011 - RobertDwyer wrote: 87 Points
Lacked brightness and depth. I sense this one has seen better days.
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9/11/2011 - pmckinney wrote: 93 Points
Smooth, mellow, light vanilla. Now at it's peak, to my taste buds.
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9/1/2011 - pagejshawjr wrote: 90 Points
I concur with memwine123.
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5/30/2011 - MemWine123 wrote: 93 Points
Smooth and fabulous
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5/14/2011 - WineHawkeye wrote: 88 Points
Cellar to chiller, opened and poured. First impression made me want to reach for a decanter as though it were a cab needing air. Not nearly as round and flavorful as I remember it being a few months ago. Candidly this bottle did not measure up to the Cakebread Reserve standard we have known; perhaps a recently compromised cork or something else odd uniquely impacted this bottle. Last of the '06s, looking forward to '07s & '08 before long. No need to search out the '06 again with '08s awaiting in the cellar. 88-
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5/13/2011 - Bayfield_Cabin_Cellar wrote: 92 Points
- Light gold color. It's balanced with a medium/full body. Polished texture - Very pleasant wine. Very good with fish. Would search out to buy this white even though I am a red wine snob and never "search out whites".
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3/8/2011 - Jhcwine Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Disappointing. And I have been disappointed by Cakebread before. This wine and possibly this vitner is over rated. Nose - mineral and citrus. Palette - mineral, citrus, oak, no honey notes. Did not improve with decanting.
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2/13/2011 - njAndrew wrote: 91 Points
A Napa Chard but a great one when you are in the mood for the style. I enjoyed this one better then the last, more integrated, less oak, nice acidity. Citrus and apple with nice acid on the finish. This wine is nice now and can easily go for a few more years.
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2/11/2011 - rc@ughey wrote: 87 Points
Large-scaled and intense with nice ripe citrus and tropical fruits, while retaining a typical Chardonnay profile. This is reasonably well balanced, but I could have gone for more acidity and a greater mineral presence. This was absolutely eviscerated by the 07 Sauzet Puligny that we drank alongside it.
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12/8/2010 - Lee Fining wrote: 91 Points
Medium, straw yellow in color. Aromas of honeysuckle, citrus, apple and melon combined with mellowing background of oak. The wine is well balanced with enough acidity to handle cream sauces. Flavors of toast and green apples with an evolving minerality on the finish. I tasted this wine a few times over the last year and it is definitely improving with age.
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10/30/2010 - norzano wrote: 93 Points
Excellent. Very smooth
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9/20/2010 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Solid drink that showed well across the two nights it was open. It begins with plenty of tropical freshness sitting beside a clean chardonnay character of Fuji apples, minerals and peach shortcake. I wasn't expecting the Old World meets New World balance. That's not to say that this could be mistaken for anything but Northern California, but thankfully, it managed a lot of freshness and very lively acids - with only a touch (vs the usual heavy-handedness) of excess oak. The best years have yet to come for this wine, but if opening now, don't be afraid to aerate it for 30-60 minutes. 14,3% abv, drink thru 2016, approx $55.
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7/31/2010 - Kirky wrote: 89 Points
At this price point there are many better options..
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7/3/2010 - pierrebiere wrote: 90 Points
VERY nice, buttery, smooth witha nice finish. bright, hints of fruit, but not fruity. very enjoyable.
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4/19/2010 - vegaswino wrote: 92 Points
Always consistent. One of the best Chardonnays on the market. Beautiful nose, long finish.
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2/4/2010 - zimmy07 wrote:
not a big fan at all. Very rine like. Lacked fruit, balance and richness, very bitter and lean.
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1/2/2010 - ikkaariainen wrote: 90 Points
What a great CA chard, even slightly better then the previous bottle tasted a few days ago because this one was slightly cooler, definitely one of our favorite whites. Enjoyed New Year's eve with good CT wine buddies neighborbill and sidboy with outstanding fresh seafood. Tasting experience very similar to previous bottle, dark gold, clear, good mouth feel, very well balanced with hints of butter and oak. Nose darker then expected with burnt sugar, ripe peach and vanilla, primary flavors included well balanced oak and butter with apple, peach and Christmas mulling spices. Too expensive to be a reasonable QPR but definitely recommend this wine.
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1/1/2010 - njAndrew wrote: 92 Points
A great Napa Chard. Buttery mouth-feel with smooth oak but not overdone or fake, perfect balance because of the acids. Apple and tropical fruits on the palate with a smooth finish. I am not a big Chard fan but this one is good.
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12/27/2009 - ikkaariainen wrote: 90 Points
Our first bottle of the reserve chard, really a great wine, thoroughly enjoyed this. Dark gold, clear, good mouth feel, slightly buttery and oaky but very well balanced in both regards, actually improved days two and three. Nose darker then expected with burnt sugar, ripe peach and vanilla, primary flavors included well balanced touches of oak and butter with dark apple and cooking spices. Too expensive to be a reasonable QPR but definitely recommendthis wine, very very good, our first of 6 bottles.
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12/19/2009 - CultCabKing wrote: 83 Points
very big finish, no fruit in front - ok but not overly fruity
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11/9/2009 - annerk wrote: 92 Points
50+5+13+17+7 Beautiful nose of spiced tropical fruit. Perfect acidity and pineapple with light pastry on the palate. Fantastic chardonnay with lingering finish of tropical fruit.
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11/1/2009 - winetennis wrote: 92 Points
Exceptional. A truly pleasurable treat. The nose is a balance of minerality and cedar/oak, but lightly done. The taste is a tease between the gently exposed oak and the lush acidic grapefruit and apple. Served with a beef Bourguignonne dish, oh the horror, why not a Burgundy, or a Bordeaux; but this Reserve was up to the challenge and was a crowd pleaser.
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7/17/2009 - bacchus wrote: 92 Points
what a treat. highly underrated at 91 considering how many lesser wines receive the same rating. at least a 92 if not more as it grows and matures. unmistakeable carneros chard but with great depth, fullness and intensity. grows significantly in the glass. shy on the nose but very giving on the palate. hopefully, everything will come around in time. my new house wine for as long as the house is new.
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3/18/2009 - godx wrote: 86 Points
Tasted at winery – medium lemon, clear. Nose of butter, pit fruit, heavy oak. Flavours of toasty oak, tropical fruits and mineral. Medium to full body, medium to high acidity with a medium finish. Creamy palate. Need some time. Good.
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12/24/2008 - ayshin wrote: 90 Points
great wine, buttery, oakey, great finish
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