Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This far too young but when I have a chance to look in on Cheval Blanc I do.

Nose shows; ripe blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, plum, moist clays, coffee, moist herbs, roasted chestnuts, amazing florals that are red flowers, red roses, lilacs & violets.

The palate shows some nice evolution but still too young to drink. Ripe and slightly candied; blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, raspberries & plum. Moist clays, coffee, moist herbs, roasted chestnuts, espresso, mid berry cola, caramel, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, crazy, round, bold spice, moist tobacco, used leather, graphite, dark, rich earth, dry stone, limestone, soft oak powder notes, amazing florals that are red flowers, red roses, lilacs & violets, round, rainfall acidity, balance, mid structure/tension, grand length and a two-minute long polished finish.

94-97 — 4 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. — 4 months ago

Michael Walker

9.8

Took awhile to open but once it did this is a pretty decent Cab - nose is full of fruit - blackberries - palate is a little sparkly, slightly underwhelms vs the nose but still solid — 10 months ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.9

This was over a month ago, but with my dad back in hospitals / rehab / generally drugged and delirious (2024 has been one helluva ride), I can’t stop thinking about the last bottle we shared when things were better and, for a flash, almost normal.

And what a bottle it was. Fennel, strawberry, balsamic… still so young…constantly evolving in the glass.. brick dust… sage and oregano on the finish.

My dad and I have always had a challenging relationship, but he’s always shown me what’s good in life and for that I am grateful. He postponed his last round of chemo a day to share a special birthday bottle with me and there’s no one else in the world I’d rather have shared it with.

I’ve just had a lot less to say about wine lately (and a lot less to say generally) despite tasting so many things most weeks. It’s just a fucking beverage. But, then again, it’s also so much more.

My sister shared a note she found on the floor of my dad’s office. We think it’s from the day he received the diagnosis… or got the divorce papers from my mother. He made a printed list titled, “Things that don’t suck” Nebbiolo was number 5. No actual humans made the list, so my sister was a little bummed. But I understand. We disappoint; Nebbiolo rarely does.

Salud. — 2 years ago

Leo Gentile

9.4

Deep purple without a hint of any other suggesting improper storage. Classic if a bit understated Napa nose. Soft yet appropriately firm tannins. Ripe black fruits. Luscious wine. Suggest drinking sooner rather than later owing to fruit ripeness. — 5 years ago

Jan A

9.6

Soft and round, a point for my palate.

I've had limited experience with first growths until now and I always was blown away by how young these first growths presented themselves (70's/80's). Most were much older than the 1996 of today, so I was pleased to see that this was so approachable. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.6

Drinking this pre-release bottle of this iconic wine from Bordeaux.

Light gold in color.

Strong nose and Full-bodied.

Sweet on the palate with high acidity to balance the sugars.

Showing melons, tropical fruits, apples, light earth, guava, herbs, spices, papaya and honey notes.

Long finish with herbs and tropical fruits.

This is a gorgeous sweet wine from Bordeaux. Sexy, seductive and fresh. Creamy and buttery.

Showing great potential, but oh so young. Already delicious and complex. Round, opulent and powerful.

Loved the nose once it opened up (20 minutes in the glass).

Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and intense, yet elegant. Well balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food. Drunk from a Magnum.

A blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months.
154 g/l sugar.

14% alcohol by volume.

96 points.

$500. — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Beautiful drinking Barbaresco with its red cherry, berry fruit, spice, licorice, dried herbs, rose petal & tobacco. — 6 months ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

Finally talked this dude into drinking.

I don't know, maybe I'm getting old but aged Riojas are starting to taste/feel weighty to me. It's very good. Muddled fruits, resolved tannins, nice and round, leather notes. But somewhat boring. Probably my mood.

92+ points — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Medium deep ruby with thin ruby rim. Quite high toned ripe fruit at first, cassis, blackberry , violet and dry spice. Quite round and generous on the nose still fruit driven. On the palate Ripe fruits, but with good freshness, with cassis blueberry , blackberry and dark cherry . Suave polished tannins and surprisingly fresh acidity. Overall excellent balance. Long with a sweet cassis tinged finish . Rich , round and hedonistic but well balanced overall, just entering its early drinking window where it will probably remain over the next 15 years . — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

1998 not the best Napa vintage. This defies that a bit. If I rounded up, would make 9.4. From their original winemaker, not TRB as in latter vintages. This is a little the other side of its peak but really delicious. On the first few sips, a touch a tomato w/ leaf. There is even the faintest of bandaid-v/a on the nose.

But the nose reveals slightly, liqueured, stewed fruits of blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries, and creamy raspberries. Limestone, dry brush, mixed dark berry cola, black licorice, dark, rich earth, mid dark, spices, clove, some ruby, lush, fresh & withering dark, red and purple florals.

Slightly, liqueured, stewed fruits of blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, creamy raspberries & blueberries on the long open/finish. Limestone, moist, volcanic clays, dry brush, mixed dark berry cola, black licorice, warm, salted, caramel, dark fruit tea, dark, rich earth, some fresh tobacco, sandalwood, light, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark spices, clove, vanillin, ruby, lush, fresh & withering dark, red and purple florals framed in violets, round acidity and a well structured, tensioned, balanced, well polished finish that lasts two-minutes. — 3 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Classy little Barolo that is drinking well showing good balance with notes of red fruits, spice & rose petal. — 4 years ago

Bob Rodgers

9.5

Soft and fruity with dark berries on the nose and palate. Made to be enjoyed. — 3 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Deep purple color. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice and mocha. Black and blue fruit on the palate, dark chocolate and silky tannins.

🏅94 Points - Tasting Panel Magazine
🏅92 Points - Wine Enthusiasts — 4 months ago

Kyle Altomare

Assistant Winemaker at Artesa Vineyards & Winery

9.3

Jeff Plant makes nectar of the gods — 5 months ago

Ed Chin

9.2

Big, bold and just darn tasty. It drinking well now but a few more years would be a benefit — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 2006 Bordeaux vintage. The vintage while wasn’t Bordeaux’s best, it certainly wasn’t one of its worst. It had the unenviable position of following a grand 2005 vintage. I think better than 2000, maybe 09 & 10? Jury is still out. The Bordelaise also got greedy and raised their prices from 05. That was a mistake when it came to selling the 2006 vintage and it laid another layer of bad taste in consumers minds.

I really enjoy Pichon Lalande’s style/craft. The 06 is good, not great. In fact, I enjoyed this better w/o the lamb.

The fruits are just ripe. Velvety, rounded M+ tannins. Brambly blackberries, dryish black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, some raspberry hues, oak barrel shavings, graphite, dry soils, dry tobacco & leather, dry clay, soft but dark spice, some dry herbs, soft baking spices- clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light milk chocolate, caramel hues, black tea, anise, some mid berry cola, dry & withering, dark & red flowers, violets, decent, round acidity, balanced, neatly structured/tensioned with an elegant finish that lasts just over 90 seconds and falls on dry earth and soft, dark spice.

Still acceding and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead. Could make a case for rounding up to 93.

Paired w/ Grilled Rack of Lamb, Served with Rosemary Jus, Fondant Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli.

@EK148 — 8 months ago

David Kline

9.3

Rim to rim color density. Red and black cherries poke through cedar and sweet tobacco on the nose with dark chocolate chunks, plum, prune and date, toasted sesame, cinnamon, rose petal, and cardamom. Chewy tannins that roll satin-smooth initially, then cassis, black currant and licorice flip the script. Graphite and blackberry frame dark chocolate and mocha-tobacco, oak and black bread.


#dunn #dunnvineyards #howellmountain #howell #napa #angwin #cabernet #cabernetsauvignon #cab #cabsauv #2014 #2014napa — 2 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Worried about the light, “thin” first impressions… but never fear. No Brett..round and fruit forward… resolved tannins…a teeny bit missing acid, but a superb foil for Scottish Chateaubriand on this cold Edinburg evening. Juicy cherry with a hint of forest floor. One of the “good” bottles of older Beaucastel. — 4 years ago

Brett Francis

9.2

This was excellent and had both a spicy set of flavors, white pepper, bell pepper and hints of barn floor, as well as a nice fruit set of flavors in boysenberry, and black cherry. Beautiful deep red and violet colors. Definitely seems like it could also benefit from more years in bottle. — 4 years ago