Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

First of all Kudos to Ant Hill love the wax seal over cork! Deep Ruby with aromas of dark Berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus, floral and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry, tea, vanilla and herb tones, well balanced with acidity. Firm fine tannins on a long finish ending with fruit and floral herb character. Very nice! Will age well! — 9 months ago

Ron R

9.2

Haven’t had this for yonks as can’t afford it any more.
Love the tasting room in Napa. But for the money, I’m a little disappointed with this. Not plush or integrated. Mocha and cedar dominate. Good tannins and acidity. Give this more time, but not worth the $150 which I paid. — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The days when non Special Select Caymus was truly Caymus Classic.

The nose reveals, baked and slightly stewed, ruby, fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, boysenberries & blueberries over the top. Dark, melted chocolate bar, dark, Indian/Asian spices, dark fruit cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, phat vanilla, caramel, steeped, dark fruit tea, leather, tobacco, graphite, anise to black licorice, black, rich earth, dry, crushed rocks, dry stones, limestone/sandstone minerals, hints of rubber toy with dark, purple, red, blue candies flowers framed in violets & lavender.

The body is; thick, round, rich, ruby & lush. The tannins are round, sweet tarry, chewy and just starting the growth of adolescent teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a near perfect place. This 08 has another 7-10 years left depending on how you like them and store wine. Baked and slightly stewed, ruby, fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, boysenberries, raspberries on the long open & blueberries over the top. Dark, melted chocolate bar, dark, Indian/Asian spices with deep palate heat, dark fruit cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, phat vanilla, caramel, steeped, dark fruit tea, dry & fresh herbs. leather, tobacco, graphite, anise to black licorice, black, light peppery notes, grilled meats, rich earth, dry, crushed rocks, dry stones, limestone/sandstone minerals, hints of rubber toy with dark, purple, red, blue candies flowers framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round, nicely executed & holds the ABV of the last decade nicely. The very long finish is; round, elegant, ruby, ripe fruits that are well balanced fruit & earth, polish for days and sunsets in dusty tannins with a deep spice end which, is why I love Caymus Classic so much.

This is my 2nd to my last bottle of Caymus Classic (😔) unless I go search for more. Just misses 94.

Note: My definition of Caymus Classic is defined by vintages up to 2011. After the 2011 vintage, they changed the style of the wine with longer fruit hang time which, translated to more sugar in the grapes & a much sweeter wine.

Photos of; Caymus tasting bar/room, Owner- Chuck Wagner, the winery & photo signage and their garden tunnel at their tasting room. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened 24 hours prior and decanted for sediment before returning to the bottle; enjoyed over the course of two days. The 1981 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart brambles and plums, green bell pepper, tobacco, leather, all of the decomposing earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, mostly integrated tannins with medium+ acid, borderline high. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Overall, a wine that is a reflection upon the vintage and at 43 years of age, that’s a big compliment. The 1981 is very much alive and will likely live for a very long time. However, it is backward, rustic, and somewhat tough to love unless you’re an old-school masochist. But I’m guilty and this wine is charming despite all of its green character. Drink now and over the next 30 years probably. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Fall is here and it’s the season I love to drink port. Dow, producing Ports for over 2 centuries. One of the first to establish its own vineyards, acquiring Senhora da Ribeira, in the remote Upper Douro, in 1890 & Bomfim, in the heart of Alto Douro, in 1896. Aromas of ripe fruits, fragrant spices and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of candied apple and jammy blackberries with cacao and honey. Firm dusty tannins, good balance, long finish. Perfect now. Tasting Sample. — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.5

Give me a TBA over this any day, but I can't deny that the 95' d'Yquem was excellent. G says it's a wine of love ❤️ True. The groups fondness for it aside, the wine is sort of what love is - strong, sweet, a little bitter sometimes, always unfolding to reveal something new, and most importantly neverending. 95' gets 95! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Just love this wine. Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and citrus scents. On the palate ripe apricot and peach flavors with honey lemon zest. Well balanced with pleasant acidity, finishing with mineral, honey and wet stone nuances on the medium ending. Very nice! Should improve over the next few years. Nice value! — 2 years ago

Ben Lehman

9.2

This is a really good vintage for the SP68. Reminds me of why I fell in love with this wine over a decade ago. The aromatics alone just made me smile — 2 years ago

Mike Holzer

9.2

Supposed to be a Brasil copa champion wine but not their night. Wine way better than the game. Unlike Brazil tonite this wine is well integrated and smooth. Big nose black fruit dominate. Black berries. Leather. Big mouthfeel. Vanilla but oak not over the top. Love it. Smooth tannins. Dark fruit . Figs. Prefer over their touriga. At least I think I do. Should do head to head tasting. Great wine, shitty game. — 4 years ago

with Ania

Keith Eddleman

9.7

Black fruit mild oak soft tannins this is a delicious Napa Cab! Love GV — 5 years ago

with Jill