CADE Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Located in the heart of Howell Mountain, the CADE Estate Reserve vineyard sits at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,850 feet and is planted to 19 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 acre of Malbec and 1 acre of Petit Verdot.
- The 2017 vintage also features fruit from CADE’s newly acquired 82 acre property on Howell Mountain, 13th Vineyard.
- The use of several different coopers imparts many layers of complexity for this highly allocated wine
Varietal Composition: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
Elaboration: The juice was fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks 95%, and 500L new French oak puncheons 5%. Fermentation was hot and fast with temperatures reaching a maximum of 90°F and the juice macerating on the skins/seeds for 7-9 days. The wine was aged for 20 months in 100% New French Oak barrels. Only free run wine was used in the blend, no press fractions were selected. Racking occurred immediately after the completion of malolactic fermentation, then on a quarterly basis until bottling. CADE uses several different coopers for their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon including Darnajou, Sylvain, Orion, Ermitage, Nadalie, and Dargaud et Jaegle.
Tasting Notes: Aromatic potpourri of cherry, strawberry jam, raspberry coulis, vanilla, cedar, cassis, coffee, chocolate, and a touch of mint. On the palate, it has a velvety rich mouthfeel with rounded yet robust tannins and structure leading to a long, persistent finish. Savory flavors of toasted pecans, baking spices, blueberry pie, chocolate covered strawberries, anise, graham cracker, and tarragon delight the senses.
PRESS
2015 – 95+ Wine Advocate | 96 Vinous | 96+ Jeb Dunnuck
2016 – 93 Wine Spectator | 98+ Wine Advocate
2017 – 94 Wine Spectator | 94+ Vinous | 98 Jeb Dunnuck
2018 – 94 Wine Spectator | 95+ Wine Advocate | 97 Vinous | 98 Jeb Dunnuck
2019 – 97 Vinous | 98 Jeb Dunnuck
2021 – 99 Jeb Dunnuck
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Environmental responsibility is the guiding philosophy at CADE, a name taken from Shakespeare who used it to describe wine casks, or cades, shipped from Bordeaux to England during Elizabethan times. CADE is part of the PlumpJack Wines group founded by Gavin Newsom, Gordon Getty, and General Manager, John Conover. The winery practices sustainable farming under the supervision of winemaker Danielle Cyrot to honor the land and the vision of the founders.
Beautiful Howell Mountain was designated Napa Valley’s first AVA in 1983 due to its prime growing conditions. CADE’s first vines were planted on the mountain in 2003. Fruit is estate-grown high above the fog line at elevations between 1,500 and 1,850 feet. The entire property covers 54 acres, 21 of which are planted with more than 37,000 vines. The rest of the estate has been placed in a land trust to forever remain as open space.