A 1,600-case blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot (all from Howell Mountain), the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals excellent potential. It possesses high acids, high tannin, and, as most mountain Cabernets do, requires some bottle age. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by a closed, formidably endowed, forbiddingly backward wine. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following two decades. This is the new vineyard and winery of the Getty family and San Francisco’s mayor, Gavin Newsom, the partnership that also owns Plumpjack. Cade has the same winemaking crew as that estate, led by the talented Tony Biagi, who is backed up by consulting winemaker, Nils Venge. In addition to these red wines, a Sauvignon Blanc is also made, but I did not have an opportunity to taste it. The Napa Cuvees are made from purchased vineyard sources, the Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain is also a product of purchased fruit, and the debut estate wine, the Cade Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, is a 100% estate bottled offering. As one might expect, given the quality of the Plumpjack wines, the Cade offerings are serious.
91 points - The Wine Advocate (December 2008) | 
