Drinks By The Dram

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Somm David T
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.
— 2 days ago

Vanessa, Rick and 14 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Opus One tasting

2019 Opus
2017 Opus
2012 Opus

The 12 drinks really well with time to go but hard to imagine it gets a lot better, the 17 was uninspiring with muted nose and subdued taste, the 19 has good potential in 6-9 years. Note: Pours were a little light for the price, so buyer beware!
— 2 years ago

Karin BlazonaBrenda Terzich-Garland
with Karin and Brenda
Brenda, Milissa and 22 others liked this

Montes

Purple Angel Colchagua Valley Carménère Petit Verdot 2021

Inky dark color. Tomato leaf, coffee, and mint on the nose. More pyrazine notes on the palate along with cocoa, cranberry, leather, black pepper, molasses, raisins, coffee, tobacco, and dark cherry. High acid, high alcohol, medium plus tannins, medium plus body, and long finish. Despite all the tertiary notes, drinks vibrant and fresh. Drink now or hold. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Belle Glos

Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Really tasty. Perhaps the first Cali Pinot noir that I’ve enjoyed, also probably because it drinks more like a zin. Dark opaque red. Slightly smokey. Full bodied. Bought it on sale for $35. Would love to have again. Had with apps on New Year’s Eve, but would be great with food and could even hold up to a heartier meal (steak, etc). — 5 months ago

Ethan HeyboerPeter HeyboerDiane Heyboer
with Ethan, Peter and 1 other
"Odedi", Andrew and 1 other liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2013

2019 Ridge Lytton Springs is a classic California field blend. It is made up of 73% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane, and 2% Mataro. The vineyard is located in Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. Dark red fruit on the nose with a bit of spice. Brambly intense fruit on the palate. Supple tannins. Really nice acidity and a lengthy finish. Drinks well now and will likely be even better in a few years. — 2 years ago

Tom, Severn and 9 others liked this

Philipponnat

Clos des Goisses Champagne Blend 2002

A powerful and decadent Clos Des Goisses drinks more like a still wine and it really stains the pallet . Serious juice ! — 4 years ago

Ira, Rob and 9 others liked this

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Diamond Collection Black Label Claret California Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

No detailed notes. Just a good drink now budget Cabernet from California which drinks to its price point. Blackberry and dark chocolate. A Coppola movie has more complexity 😎 — 4 months ago

Tom, Ron and 17 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Funny 😄
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, did you catch the vintage?

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Tried 3 years ago, and it was a tannic bottle of disappointment, it's changed for the better.

2 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: dark fruit, cocoa, pencil shavings, floral, cigar box, menthol. Taste: soft, elegant wine with some black/red fruit, currants, crushed stone, and an earthy black tea lean medium finish. Not the depth and power of a great year, drinks well now...not sure how much more this will improve.
— 6 months ago

Brenda, Shay and 19 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

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Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Don’t stop now....my word. Parker was right. It drinks beautifully early. Wow. — 5 years ago