Does anyone else see a problem with WS's ratings of the '99 Cakebread cab vs. the '98 Cabs? I tried the '99, and it just doesn't stack up to the '98 wines. Maybe I had a bottle that was off, but I don't think so. I'm also confused by the "Highly Recommended" that the '99 got. Any thoughts??

I haven't had the chance to taste the '99. The last time I was at Cakebread, I had the chance to taste all three of their single vineyard Cabs and wasn't impressed, even comparing to the other '98 Cabs from Napa.

The two that's better in my opinion off the top of my head are Downing Family and Rutherford Grove.

Kyle;
I've tasted both the '98 and '99 Cakebread this year and can conclusively say that the '99 was far better than the '98, bottle variation notwithstanding.

The '98 I had (back in Feb.) seemed very awkward; I stated in my TN that if I'd had it blind, I would have sworn it was a PN. Very strange bottle, not bad, just strange. I just recently had the '99 and found it much better, though no blockbuster.

Kybo,
The 98s that I have tried have all been very good. They have been smooth, a bit fruity, and easy to drink. The '99 almost tasted bitter compared to the '98. Hmmm.

It is a generation, but Cakebread wines on the whole have been rather uninspiring for a long time......

GMT,

When the new WS eventually reaches Japan you'll find out why. Mr. Cakebread is too busy hunting turkeys to bother with the wine.

Derek

I'll buy all the cakebread you guys have to sell.
period.

Kyle and 12, check out this thread from a few months back to get a taste of what several forum members think about Cakebread and the '98 offerings:

http://web8.winespectator.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001579&p=

I can agree that their wines are tasty--but worth no more than $20/bottle and certainly not on-par with other Cal Cabs in the same price range.

I'll buy all the Cakebread you guys have to sell for less than $20. Period.

"""I'll buy all the Cakebread you guys have to sell for less than $20. Period."""

mletson, you won't be drinking any then.
That's fine by me.

Of course the 98s aren't as good as the 99s and certainly not as good as the 97s

If you like other wines better than cakebread, to each his own. I'm not buying wine to suit someone elses tastes.