David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Had to try it. Used to love their work prior to 2012. After that, their style changed to picking at higher brix levels thus creating a much sweeter profile. SS was one I’d hoped they’d left alone and they did not. Not quite as sweet as their regular Cabernet but sweeter than before. I made the pitch to the property to make Caymus Classic along side their new sweeter style wines. The 94 Special Selection was one of their best. — 20 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Drinking well at 48 yrs. Old school style of Bordeaux from an owc showing red & black fruit, cedar, leather, savory spice & tobacco. — 5 months ago

Ericsson

9.3

Napa Bordeaux style blend, pop n pour with scents of wet earth and perfectly ripe red fruit. Exquisitely balanced on the palate, soft tannins, medium alcohol… Loved the wine, definitely old world character, but must say there is short finish (a bit disappointing with this caliber of wine to be explicit). Still, great wine. — 6 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Ripe and confected style. Still quite youthful and could go another 10-20. — a month ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2024/1 with Riojan potato and chorizo stew. Really lovely - strawberry and raspberry, custard tart, smoke, iron - if only there were more producers who still made this style — 3 months ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Sometimes no other wine will do for me than old-style (13% ABV) Bordeaux, and this lovely medium-aged Pauillac absolutely fills the bill, redfruits, structured but not really tannic, great acid balance really lifts the fruit, not a blockbuster, but very fine nonetheless, I could drink a lot of this!! — 5 months ago

with Jim

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Dark Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruit and floral spice, pure Caymus signature style, easy drinking, approachable as always. On the palate flavors of ripe blackberry, black cherry and currants with complex spice showing notes of cacao, cinnamon and rich vanilla oak. Fine soft tannins, nice mouthfeel, great balance with acidity, long finish, ending with notes of oak and mineral notes. Nice! — 10 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2016 vintage. Always understated style. Lean throughout. Light-medium body with dedicated, yet delicate, push. Distinctive producer. Enduring delivery currently. Obviously not for everyone but for those that get it, borders on obsession. Mushrooms. Drying earth. Light cedar. Cassis. Subdued sandalwood. Very close to being the Burgundy of St. Julien. Last tasted 9.20.21 and scored same. 3.16.24. — a month ago

Will Stanley

9.4

The 2015 Viña Ardanza is only the third vintage of this wine that I’ve tasted, yet it has quickly become perhaps my favourite Rioja - for quality, value, style, and sheer pleasure. This is a match for the brilliant 2010, with an outrageously pure and beautiful nose of balsamic paste, bitter orange, black cherry, fig and vanilla. The palate is supple but firm, quite dark in character, with a gorgeous medley of black and red fruits, perhaps slightly fuller bodied than the 2010, and carrying through to a long, bitter orange, tar and tobacco-laced finish.

This is just such superb stuff, and to say it sells for around £20-30 a bottle, it’s a cellar must. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2003 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately and after two hours. Medium body. Grippy on the finish and plenty of espresso flavors encircling graphite, mineral and concentrated plum notes. Tasted a different bottle very recently on 9.26.23. That bottle was fresher (9.5) and the quintessential Cos style. This one was leaner and meaner but still delicious. 10.14.23. — 6 months ago