2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

In late 2016, Cade purchased Ladera and in so doing greatly expanded their holdings on Howell Mountain. At present, the plan is to increase production of the existing wines, rather than adding new wines to the range. These are especially lush, flamboyant wines for Howell Mountain. Winemaker Danielle Cyrot favors short fermentations of 7-9 days at hot temperatures as part of her approach to tame the typically huge Howell Mountain tannin profile. The two thousand fifteens are the product of the earliest harvest ever at Cade. Yields were down a whopping 60% because of the poor set.

Danielle Cyriot arrived at Cade just before the 2012 harvest was about start. These 2013s are the first wines she has made here from start to finish. Like many of her colleagues, Cyriot opted for shorter extractions and pressed off after just six days on the skins, which is shorter than any of the three surrounding vintages. The 2014s are a bit more precise in keeping with the personality of that vintage which Cyriot describes as more relaxed than 2013. Stylistically, the Cade Cabernets are juicy and intense, with plenty of fruit. The differences between the Estate and Reserve Cabernets are not especially marked. The Reserve has quite a bit more new oak influence, but it is not a meaningfully better or more complex wine, at least not yet.