2021 Cakebread "Dancing Bear Ranch" Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
New
98JD
97TWI
95RP
92JS
92WS
$149.99
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Only 2 left
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Redwood City: 2
98
Jeb Dunnuck
Reviewed February 2024Lastly, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch comes from a stunning estate vineyard on Howell Mountain with the plantings dating back to 1999. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and a splash of Cabernet Franc, aged in 59% new oak, this beauty reminds me of a great Saint-Julien (Leoville Barton?) with its incredible purity and regal, structured style. Crème de cassis, lead pencil, violets, chalky minerality, and chocolaty oak all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, ripe yet perfectly integrated tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It needs air if drinking any time soon and will ideally be given 4-6 years in the cellar. This beauty will have three decades of overall longevity.
Professional Reviews
97
The Wine Independent
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch, with 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of swirling and shaking to bring out notes of creme de cassis, blackberry pie, and blueberry preserves followed by nuances of red roses, sauteed herbs, and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers energetic, bright, crunchy black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and savory. 97+ (LPB)
95
Wine Advocate
From the winery's estate vineyard on Howell Mountain, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, all aged 22 months in 59% new French oak. Scents of mocha, tree bark, black cherries, raspberries and cherries mark the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is supple, lush and long, with ample concentration and some nicely ripe, softly dusty tannins on the lingering finish. (JC)
92
James Suckling
Ripe dark-fruited character with hazelnuts, pine wood, chocolate and ground cloves. Medium- to full-bodied, refined and polished, with dusty tannins and succulent fruit. Long finish. 90% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Try after year or two. (AS)
Details
| Origin | Napa Valley, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Type/Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends |
| SKU | 2040768 |