Wine find: 2008 Layer Cake Malbec — baltimoresun.com

Wine find: 2008 Layer Cake Malbec — baltimoresun.com

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San Francisco Chronicle: 2008 Layer Cake Shiraz

2008 Layer Cake South Australia Shiraz ($15). For this wine’s third vintage, winemaker Jayson Woodbridge used more than 90 percent McLaren Vale fruit sourced from small growers. Aged in 50 percent new French oak, which adds layers of spice to the deep blackberry, plum and dark chocolate aromas and flavors. Rich, with weight, substance and long finish, it has plenty of fruit to take on barbecue with aplomb.

— Lynne Char Bennett
San Francisco Chronicle

2007 Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2007 Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

($28) Medium red-ruby. Slightly medicinal aromas of cassis and blackberry complicated by mineral and smoky nuances. Lush, spicy and full, with enough harmonious acidity to keep the very sweet, ripe fruit flavors lively. A firmly built and rather serious cabernet for the price, finishing with excellent dark fruit intensity

Layer Cake Wines are always 100 percent pure

Layer Cake Winemaker Jayson Woodbridge

Although this blog entry is more about Jayson Woodbridge’s brand Hundred Acre; I thought the read would give you insight to the man that makes Layer Cake Wine.

Shameless Plug:

I met Jayson (Woodbridge) nearly a decade ago outside of the once St. Helena hot spot Tra Vigne. Even then as a newcomer from Canada his presence was felt from everyone in the room and the immense patio filled with the St. Helena wine establishment. There was something about him that you couldn’t miss even casually. Maybe it’s his size, maybe it’s his aura or maybe it’s that look on his face like he’s willing to compete at any moment with anyone for the top rung of the industry. I have to say since I’ve been in the wine business, there’s not been one star that has risen faster.

There’s not been one guy who’s put his not so proverbial balls on the line to make what he’s passionate about which is really good wine. And yes, from my estimation, he’s not competing with you, Bobby Parker or anyone who critiques wine from an armchair hidden behind a bow tie and some lofty impression of themselves. He’s competing against himself, because in his mind, much like Reese Bobby, Ricky Bobby’s daddy, Jayson knows “if you aren’t first, you are last” Since 2000, Hundred Acre wines have taken top scores from every wine critic in the land. From my estimation, it’s much deserved place for a guy who risked it all to act upon what his circadian rhythm alone told him to do: “cut no corners and make the finest wine possible, from every corner of the planet need be”

I have had the luxury, pleasure and honor of tasting Hundred Acre “Kayli Morgan” Napa Valley Cabernet on many occasions over the last ten years. To many it would be an esteemed experience alone. However, to speak to the man behind the curtain, the one experience that stands out in my mind was the first time I ever tried the wine with Mr. Woodbridge in 2002.

He opened his cellar door and said, “go in and get any two bottles of wine you want so we can try them with my first vintage of Hundred Acre. The only caveat; it has to be Bordeaux varietal based, outside of that, regardless of expense, I want your opinion.” I was urged to pick appropriate world class wines, given free reign with very little fear from the vintner of the unreleased Hundred Acre. So I chose carefully, but realize, he had every great wine in the world to chose from…I got sweaty considering the options.

Not wanting to cherry pick or over extend my welcome I emerged from the cellar with two bottles that were well recognized about $100 a bottle a piece. I was chided immediately and laughed at by Jays, he goes, “go back in and get some real wine; you are my guest and I want you to try the best in the world against Hundred Acre” I shuddered to think I had Carte Blanche with his cellar, but, I did what I was told and emerged with two of the finest wines in the world.

The lineup was the 1990 Le Pin from Pomerol and the 1997 Harlan Napa Valley Cabernet; without checking references I believe they were both rated 100 points by Parker. Jayson pulled the corks and decanted each wine like he was opening beers at a bachelor party. He didn’t care one bit about what he was going against; he wanted an honest opinion from people who barely knew him at the time, but, moreover trained palates.

Each wine was stunning, without hesitation. Each wine had it’s values that you could see would offer a 100 point experience to someone. That notwithstanding, the Le Pin was 30 years too young, but may have been one of the greatest opportunities to try what ‘will be’ a world recognized legendary wine forever. The Harlan was ripe, abundant, classic 1997 vintage, but, I got to tell you, I wouldn’t have closed my eyes and thought 100 points. I am not enamored with expensive wines not having shelf life and at this point the secondary market was getting $800-$1200 a bottle for a wine that had five years left in it.

Then the 2000 Hundred Acre was tried. The wine was so polished and palate encompassing that it made my mind swirl; yes, I had tried these other two wines prior, but, the thought that $125 was going to get me a 95-100 point experience was what I thought about. The price to value ratio worked. Moreover, the idea that Jayson would expose himself to potential criticism over his new creation made me respect him even more.

He said, “SteveO, it’s what it takes to make this type of wine. I will never compromise, spare expense or stop making what I believe to be one of the best wines Napa Valley will ever see.” To date Jayson Woodbridge has continued to develop critical acclaim while never compromising his creative integrity. His results are proven year over year by anyone and everyone that is in the business of evaluating wines. His mailing list is closed to newcomers and to be honest, the opportunity to taste something that has taken so much dedication should be hard to obtain. Hundred Acre wines are a once in a lifetime experience and one that I will never forget.

Where to find Layer Cake Wine: Chelsea Wine Vault

The 2008 Layer Cake Shiraz at Chelsea Wine Vault

Over the weekend at the Chelsea Wine Vault we found a healthy stack of 2008 Layer Cake Shiraz. The store was bustling with thirsty shoppers as usual, but, I found it so cool to see Layer Cake Shiraz standing front and center in the middle of the Australian wine section.

David Hunter, General Manager of the Chelsea Wine Vault took his time to talk to us. He was cordial, direct and really knowledgeable. Not only was it cool to see the wine placed amongst so many other great Australian Shiraz, but, frankly, David’s demeanor (since I came unannounced) was really refreshing. He took his time to discuss the other great Layer Cake wines (i.e. Primitivo, Cotes du Rhone, Cabernet and Malbec) but said without hesitation, “when Layer Cake Shiraz is available, it’s a must for the store!”

Then he went back to business as usual. Hats off to a great wine shop and a superlative effort on David’s behalf to offer our wines.

Layer Cake Aims for Quality and Value

James Laube 02/07/2008 Wine Spectator Blog

Layer Cake is another of Jayson Woodbridge’s passion plays. But unlike his $250-a-bottle Hundred Acre Cabernet, or his new designer vineyard acquisition, Pickett Road, LC is aimed at value wines and hopefully will subsidize Woodbridge’s more ambitious vinous pursuits.

The concept behind Layer Cake—which represents the different layers of wine and the image of a handcrafted product—is great wines at affordable prices.

It’s a concept all wine drinkers can get behind. But it’s also an ambition that few can fulfill, since making great wines is expensive, whether it’s due to grape or production costs. So I’ll give Woodbridge an A for effort, and a B for execution. Three of the wines sell for $15; only the 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet will be higher priced, in the $25 to $30 range when it’s released next year. Read More