Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

From the Far Niente winery, blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 1% Malbec & 1% Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruits with floral spice and oaky notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry jam and red plum with licorice, vanilla, leather and espresso. Tannins are fine, a bit chalky and tight, long finish ending with fruit, toasty cedar and earthy spice. Enjoyable now but a few years will reward. Pair this with a T-bone with a horseradish peppercorn sauce. — 12 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have written a few times regarding my tale of Caymus & Caymus Classic. Their vintages post 2011 and their vintages pre 2011.

I have at event tastings that Caymus was pouring, encouraged their staff to talk with Chuck to make both Caymus & Caymus Classic. Recently, I emailed them to pass on my thoughts to Chuck asking him to make both. If you liked Caymus the way it was, I encourage you to do the same. There is a dwelling amount of older, well preserved Caymus Classic vintages. info@wagnerfamilyofwine.com should you be so inclined.

Their post 2011 Caymus Cabernets are picked at higher brix and syrupy sweet. I get why Chuck changed. Many like sweeter Cabernets that drink easy young. That is not my wheelhouse.

In my intermediate wine days, I aged and enjoyed many pre 2012 vintages. This perfect bottle bought on the secondary market at around $70 is extremely well stored. The cork when I cut the foil looked slightly depressed, when I pulled it with an Ah-so was next to new.

I enjoyed this with a Ribcap, not the best wine for that steak but, ok. This 07 is more filet or NY Strip.

The nose shows; a very dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush-blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mellow dark spices, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry tobacco, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender.

This bottle now nearly 18 years in bottle has not faded. It is at its precipice and will hold a few yrs. 2007 a grand Napa vintage. Decanted a little over an hour and enjoyed over the next 90-120 minutes. With this experience, another hour in the decanter is even better.

M-M+ velvety, rounded, tannins. The palate is round, ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush; blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, stewed plum, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries with notes of liqueur overtones, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, black licorice, dark berry cola, distinct dark, Caynus Classic spices w/ palate heat, herbaceous notes, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone/rock, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry river stone, charcoal, notes of menthol, dry tobacco, leather, dry oak barrel shavings, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, perfect, round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted-toned-structured, elegantly/smartly polished finish that goes on and on and long sets on beautiful earth & spice.

94+ This experience is becoming rarer & rarer. — 5 months ago

Debra Copeland, WSET3, SWS, CSWS

9.2

Classic Pinot and perfect with grilled Alaskan sockeye salmon and ahi tuna. — 6 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Could age longer. On the fruitier side of Syrah. Spiced plums. Dried banana. Smoked meat, tart cherry. — 9 months ago

Brian

9.5

Smooth full bodied with dark berry fruit, well balanced, drinking well now and maybe 2-3 more years when we’ll stored. — 4 years ago

Steve Reiss

9.2

Super nice Paso red blend 👌 — 13 days ago

Jenn

9.2

Delicious, buttery, full bodied without over powering. Memorial Day 2026 — 3 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2021. A little ❤️ Day wine with my wife and our daughter! — 6 months ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.2

Russell Bevan will be joining with Middleton partners on a joint project. No longer will we see this wine. Enjoy while you can. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Dark ruby red color, some purple edges, with aromas of dark fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with vanilla, cedar and cinnamon spice. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, cedar and spice. — 6 months ago

S.Carey

9.5

Top of this line, though big at 14.1%. Still, well balanced and so amazingly characteristic — 9 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Tighter than a Nun’s… Medium ruby color. Aromas of cherry, cranberry and oak. A little high alcohol concentration at first. Needs to open up a bit. Tasty red fruit with a oaky finish. — 3 years ago

Rebekah Hobbs

9.6

Brian Brakesman winemaker. Supple and smooth, slight vanilla, lush blackberry, subtle spice from old-vine Zin. Perfection to drink 2016 in 20121. — 5 years ago

Jason Gelman

9.4

memorable bottle of wine on our last night in Porto. beautiful dinner and beautiful view at Vinums patio in the Grahams port house. breathtaking view of the city. this is a food wine through and through. paired beautifully with sausage, two salads, and filet mignon. — 6 days ago

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.1

2023 vintage. The epitome of Willamette Valley Pinots, earthy floral aromas on the nose, robust berry flavors on the palette, medium bodied structure, velvety smooth finish with a slight hint of spice on the tail. Under $45, very enjoyable, great pairing with pasta. — 3 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.4

Got this on a road trip up to Oregon 12 years ago, and it is singing! Lush and vibrant, red fruit, eucalyptus, cedar. Nom! — 6 months ago

with Natasha

Daniele Cuzin

9.0

Had the 2022 vintage in Feb 2026. Fruity and spicy taste and nice to drink — 6 months ago

Joseph Barsky

9.7

2015 Vintage. 14.7% ABV. Wow wine for sure. Thomas Rivers Brown -excellent job! — 7 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on October 18, 2025 at Home]

Black cherry, raspberry and plum fruit, with fig, cocoa, tea and mandarin orange notes. — 10 months ago

Laura Purdy

9.0

First of many wines for tonight’s Far Niente and Nickel and Nickel event. — 4 years ago