Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2023 vintage. Super youthful but the best Clay Court I’ve had. Light-medium body with good length of finish and ample spice résumé. 05.21.25. — 16 days ago

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. — 14 hours ago

Abbas Zand

8.9

Plum, blueberry nose. Medium to full body.
Cherry, blueberry, plum fruit flavors w/ Leather and smoke accents. Medium tannins.
Long finish. Nice overall.
$20 — 5 months ago

Will Stanley

9.5

My first time trying a wine from the Finlayson brothers of Crystallum, one of the Cape’s pre-eminent producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from, principally, the Hemel-en-Arde. The Clay Shales is a world-class Chardonnay from one of the best sites in the region at an altitude of 300m and within sight of the ocean.

March 2025 — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I am re-coravining this 07. The 2007 vintage is generally compared to 97. I would say 07 is slightly better than 97.

I am honest, sometimes to a fault. This is absolutely the most underrated Cabernet producer in Napa Valley, bar none. A TRB made wine since 97.

The nose reveals ripe & lush; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, just a whiff of boysenberries with strawberries & creamy raspberries on the edges of the glass. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, cinnamon, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, touch of butterscotch, understated herb blend, some grey clay, dry top soil, light graphite, very used leather, light fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets.

The palate is heavily magical. The tannins round, velvety & still meaty. Ruby & lush nicely evolved fruits that are; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries hints of boysenberries, cherries, strawberries, pomegranate extract & hovering, creamy raspberries. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, tarriness, dark roasted expresso, anise to black licorice, cinnamon stick, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark spice w/ some palate heat, touch of toffee w/ nuts, understated fresh herb blend, lightly grilled meats, some grey clay/volcanics, dark, rich, sweet earth, dry top soil, nice graphite tones, very used leather, fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets, excellent round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that glides from beautiful fruits to spice & gentle earth and last nearly two-minutes. Glorious & stunning the character & depth of this wine!

Jones Family wines only shine this bright with 15 years plus in bottle.

This one has another 3-5 yrs before it starts its slow decent. — a month ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Quick double decant. After 15 minutes, it’s already cookin’. Nose shows cassis, clay, a little underbrush, a slight menthol note, a little violet. Lots going on. Rich and a little macho in the mouth, like many ‘18s. There’s a fair whack of soft tannin, but it’s already drinking well. Intense and full. Not elegant, but gives you more than your money’s worth of flavor. Certainly will be better in 5 years or so. — 6 months ago

Joe Christenson

8.9

Bright red cherries, baking spices, plum, black pepper, and hints of vanilla cola. This vintage drinks brighter and more effervescent than others. Some blackberry and earthy notes provide depth. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas — a month ago

Mark Mannebach

9.1

Critics, honey, melon and wet stone, limestone tones. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Charles "Champagne Charlie" Heidsieck was one of the first to recognize the importance of the U.S. as a Champagne market. A blend with 40% reserve wines, fruit and floral bouquet, with orange blossom & yeasty notes. Fine bubbles, nice mousse, showing quality. Outstanding rich flavors of apple, pear and biscuit, well balanced, good structure, creamy. Long finish ending with toasty nutty oak & mineral notes. — a year ago