Wine Wednesday – 2008 Cakebread Pinot Noir
I am sitting here drinking this delightful Pinot Noir on Fat Tuesday before I give up wine for Lent. A couple of thoughts come to mind – why am I giving up wine? And if I am, I had better drink something good tonight. The Cakebread Pinot did not disappoint. In fact, I have never met a disappointing Cakebread wine, have you?
2008 Cakebread Cellars Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir
Alcohol Content: 14.7%
Price: $49.00
Description per label: We craft this complex, aromatic Pinot Noir from multiple, high quality clones grown in several outstanding vineyards in the Carneros district of southern Napa Valley, a cool-climate region renowned for its peerless Pinots. In 2008, spring frosts in Carneros reduced yields, concentrating flavors in our Pinot Noir grapes. Vinified exclusively from free-run juice and aged 15 months in French oak barrels, our 2008 Carneros Pinot Noir boasts vivid black cherry, blueberry and rose petal aromas. Its succulent cherry, plum and red berry flavors are lifted by fresh acidity and fine, supple tannins.
Review:
I first discovered Cakebread before I had children. It was an idyllic point in my life when I had an income, without the financial (but worthwhile) drain of children. I drank good wine, ate in great restaurants and had wild adventures. This Pinot Noir took me back to that time of civility and excitement, it is the perfect balance of spicy and smooth. The wine leads with a smooth and supple blend of dark cherry flavors. It reminds me of my organized, serene life before my priceless children. The finish is brings the excitement and adventure of the spice. It’s reminiscent of salsa dancing at the Capitol Club in the Bay Area.
Cakebread harvests their Pinot Noir grapes at night to protect workers from the summer heat. I can relate to this, as I do my best work at night, when protected from the distractions of my children… usually.
On a scale of 1-10, I rate the Cakebread Pinot Noir a 7 for its complexity and ability to transport me back in time.
Suggested pairings: Salmon, barbecue, Thai food and any time you want to reminisce.
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Pay It Forward
Slightly Off-Balance 
Paige, we would’ve have been even MORE bff-ish before kids! I had a great job at an ad agency that represented swanky resorts and if they had special events and not enough guests attending, I was filler. One of these events was a wine tasting with the Cakebreads! I didn’t even know I liked wine until that night…it was the beginning of the end…
Here’s to good memories!
I’m a Cakebread Cab girl, myself. Except I can’t afford it. And I’m not a girl anymore.
But if I were a rich girl?
I’d drink Cakebread every day…
Good luck with your lenten sacrifice – oh, my. Perhaps you should’ve had a bottle of the bad stuff so it doesn’t hurt as much???
I have never had Cakebread, and love Pinot Noir, and now I may need to try this out. BTW, why oh why would you ever give up wine for Lent? I shudder at the thought, but I wish you luck. I am not as strong…
Ooh, sounds yummy! I am having a $14 dollar bottle of something called Inkberry. It is a Cab/Shiraz mix which I thought would be interesting. Not too bad…ironically it’s alittle plummy almost like a merlot, but still pretty decent. I’m going to look for the cakebread, but I am on the east coast right now and they hardly carry anything that isn’t sweet (yuck). Anyway – Sorry for going of on the anonymous person in your last post- its one of those days, I swear Im not AS insane as that appeared. Also, My friend April lives in Sac, so maybe we could make a three ladies wine tasteing tour! Super fun. I should be “home” in late May and we can exchange info then…good luck with lent!
I love finding bottles for $15 or under! My review next week will be a $5.99 bottle of red table wine that I like. I drank several bottles before today in preparation for Lent. No worries about the anonymous commenter, it made me laugh – I responded too.
I’ve been DYING to try Cakebread. But in support of your lenten vow, I will only take a few sips of the cheap stuff. But come easter, a pending baby shower or actually popping out this kid, Cakebread WILL be consumed!
But don’t hold me to it, I am a lapsed Catholic after all.