romo

9.0

Called PG. Phenolic and mysterious. Neutral palate and finish. — 5 days ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

Production 1200 cases. Garrafeira means special selection 18 months in French Oak, dense tannins as well as fruit. — a month ago

Bonnie Chu

8.9

Spice, sausage, black cherry, pepper, higher tannins, similar to Merlot. Single varietal. Robert a Parker 92 points. 16 mo French oak. — 2 months ago

Jeffrey Ritterson

9.2

Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (20%), Tinta Roriz (30%), Tinta Barroca (10%). Medium to deep purple. Medium body, medium tannin at most, medium acidity, dry. Some slight funk on the nose, in a very good way. Wet rocks, violets, light baking spices. Better after open for a day. Benchmark Duero for what I can find in the US so far. — 12 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark red purple. Inviting nose and medium full, fruit-forward (for a European) palate of blueberry-blackberry compote. Bright medium acidity and medium minus tannins that mostly assert back-palate. Dark and slightly bitter finish (Touriga Nacional showing). Fine example of Portuguese non-Porto red. Ready for hearty entrées like roasted beef or pork. Drink now through 2028. — 2 months ago

Bonnie Chu

8.9

80 Old vines, 30 varieties, mainly tinta roriz, 16 months French oak. Robert Parker 93 points. Berry forward, high acid, field blends are the oldest vines, highest price points — 2 months ago

Jack Krawczyk

8.9

angostura bitters with a grapefruit note — 2 months ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.5

Super velvety, light to medium body but still very plump. Very long finish. Would drink! — 25 days ago

Monique Gillioen

9.3

Neus van een goede bourgogne, een bitter boven op de tong. €25 bij Miguel — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

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. — 18 hours ago