Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When Caymus was Caymus!!!

It is good to remember the style of wine Chuck used to make. His wine from 2011 backwards. The wine I used to collect. I refer to this now as Caymus Classic. I have requested they make this style again every time I see a Caymus representative. Just 500 cases by simply picking earlier at lower brix and applying past winemaking. They under estimate how fast those cases would sellout.

I get they made a business decision to make a sweeter wine that will drink easier young. They get better critic scores and sell to a larger customer base. A customer base that generally drinks it like supermarket buyers…within the first two weeks of purchase.

Of course, 1997 was an epic vintage in Napa and this 97 bought weeks ago has been well stored and in perfect condition. I miss this wine as it has so much more character than their 2012 vintage & forward. So do many former Caymus collectors.

The nose reveals, bright, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries that are just starting to reveal some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, dark spice, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets.

The palate is exquisite. It is all beauty with nothing bitty or angular. Ripe, juicy, lush; blackberries, cassis, black raspberries, dark cherries with hints of some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries as it unfurls & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco with ash, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, perfect dark spice with some tongue heat, mocha, dark chocolate baking bar, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & hints of vanillin, dry herbs, baking soda, dry limestone powder, top soil with pebbles, slightly moist volcanic clay, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets, excellent, rainfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured, polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on spice & gentle earthy tones. I miss their distinct spice. Glorious!!!

This bottle is somewhere on the other side of the bell curve and still singing. Still very sound. It won’t improve and recommend if you own, drink them sooner than later but certainly not a rush.

88% Cabernet, 10% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc. 25.95% Paladins, Skruggs, Wright-St. Helena. 52.15% Caymus Estate, Glos, Usibelli-Rutherford, 15.84% Sciambra-Atlas Peak, 6.06% Tambor Vineyards-Mt. Veeder.

Photos of: Caymus tasting room, tasting room courtyard, owner Chuck Wagner and vineyard. — a month ago

Clay Bullwinkel

9.2

Crisp, medium acidic, pear, feijoa, balanced and stream-lined delightful wine. — 4 years ago

Martin Bergo

9.0

Sooo sweet and suuuch great acidity for balance. — 6 months ago

Jan G

9.1

Wonderful on its own! — 3 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.0

This is a lovely wine, more mineral driven than Riesling sekt and with the addition of fine green apple, lemon and lime. There’s a hint of earthiness from the less in the bottle. Very nice, very dry and crispy acidic good wine. 12% abv — 3 years ago

Loren Grossman

Vintner Wilde Farm Wines

9.3

Wow. Thick is the word that comes to mind. Blackberry, pomegranate, scorched earth, heavily roasted coffee. Voluptuous. Heady. Great with a bone in rib-eye. Over the top but not in a bad way. Not for every day. — 4 years ago

Kelly Randall

10

Naturally sparkling and delicious! — 2 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.2

Grower bubbles from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Still can’t compete with top tier grower champagne (we don’t get that phenolic maturity at low brix etc) BUT excellent none the less. The rosé from Caraccioli especially stands out. The 1-2% SLH Pinot brings an element of coastal Cali terroir to this wine (the tiniest hint of that strawberry, herbal quality) which blends so perfectly with the lemon juice and marzipan/vanilla/lanolin leesy quality. Fine persistent mousse. One of the best examples of domestic sparkling I’ve had. — 2 years ago

Charlie C

9.1

Bright green strawberries. Chalky. Good finish. — 4 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

I loved this. It compares to many Niagara desert ice wines I’ve had. There is a biting acidity that shows through the sweetness. Lovely after dinner. — 5 years ago