Cakebread Cellars Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Cakebread Cellars Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, skillfully crafted under the guidance of winemaker Niki Williams, is a true testament to the excellence of Napa Valley’s winemaking.

In the glass, this wine presents a deep, inky purple hue, foreshadowing the richness and complexity within. The nose is a symphony of aromas, with dark blackberry, boysenberry, and hints of mocha taking center stage.

Upon the first sip, the palate is enveloped by concentrated flavors of ripe blackberry and fig, dancing elegantly with firm tannins. The experience culminates in a luxurious blend of blackberry and dark chocolate notes, leaving a lasting impression.

These exceptional grapes hail from the benchlands of Oakville and Rutherford, with Hill Ranch, home to Jack and Dolores Cakebread, being a cornerstone. These benchlands offer distinctive soil profiles, strong root development, and the advantage of mountain shade, allowing for slow and steady ripening.

In the cellar, the winemaking team led by Stephanie Jacobs spared no effort to create this masterpiece. Fermentation in small stainless steel tanks ensured optimum color, flavor, and tannin extraction. The wine then spent 22 months aging in French oak barrels, 60% of which were new, before being bottled in August 2019.

Critical acclaim showers this vintage, with Jeb Dunnuck awarding it 95 points, praising its richness and elegance. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate bestows 94 points, noting its complexity and firm texture. Wine Spectator gives it 93 points, lauding its layered fruitiness, and James Suckling, with 92 points, anticipates it will shine even brighter with time.

Cakebread Cellars Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a true Napa Valley gem, showcasing the region’s finest attributes. Enjoy it now or let it age gracefully for 7 to 10 years, savoring its evolving complexity with each passing vintage.