Sagee Aran

9.1

A blend of Semillon and Chenin Blanc grapes, aromatic with minerality and a rich finish. The bouquet is stronger than the aromas of the fruits on the nose. — 22 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

I think if you read this nonsense I post, you know how I feel about this producer, past & present. This 07 is outstanding & top of its bell curve. It is so good to revisit these great vintages of Caymus Classic.

This is fresher than the 97. It is rich/lush, cassis to currents, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, classic, beautiful, Caymus Classic spice that I miss dearly in their new wines, black licorice, fudge, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, most top soil, limestone, dry herbs, dry tobacco, barrel shavings, taut leather, volcanic grey clay, dark, fresh & slightly withering flowers, violets, beautiful round acidity, balance, structure, nice tension and elegant finish that last minutes and falls on spice and evoluted earth tones.

This bottle is in fine shape. Still strong and will last another 10 years of fine drinking. Phenomenal vintage and time to enjoy. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I am re-coravining this 07. The 2007 vintage is generally compared to 97. I would say 07 is slightly better than 97.

I am honest, sometimes to a fault. This is absolutely the most underrated Cabernet producer in Napa Valley, bar none. A TRB made wine since 97.

The nose reveals ripe & lush; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, just a whiff of boysenberries with strawberries & creamy raspberries on the edges of the glass. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, cinnamon, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, touch of butterscotch, understated herb blend, some grey clay, dry top soil, light graphite, very used leather, light fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets.

The palate is heavily magical. The tannins round, velvety & still meaty. Ruby & lush nicely evolved fruits that are; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries hints of boysenberries, cherries, strawberries, pomegranate extract & hovering, creamy raspberries. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, tarriness, dark roasted expresso, anise to black licorice, cinnamon stick, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark spice w/ some palate heat, touch of toffee w/ nuts, understated fresh herb blend, lightly grilled meats, some grey clay/volcanics, dark, rich, sweet earth, dry top soil, nice graphite tones, very used leather, fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets, excellent round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that glides from beautiful fruits to spice & gentle earth and last nearly two-minutes. Glorious & stunning the character & depth of this wine!

Jones Family wines only shine this bright with 15 years plus in bottle.

This one has another 3-5 yrs before it starts its slow decent. — 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 — 2 days ago

Will Stanley

9.5

My first time trying a wine from the Finlayson brothers of Crystallum, one of the Cape’s pre-eminent producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from, principally, the Hemel-en-Arde. The Clay Shales is a world-class Chardonnay from one of the best sites in the region at an altitude of 300m and within sight of the ocean.

March 2025 — 6 months ago

Abbas Zand

8.9

Plum, blueberry nose. Medium to full body.
Cherry, blueberry, plum fruit flavors w/ Leather and smoke accents. Medium tannins.
Long finish. Nice overall.
$20 — 9 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have waited nearly 20 yrs to have this with a steak. Tonight is the night. It’s still early, but a good first look. I would have the next of 3 bottles in 5 yrs and another in 10 yrs.

After a 3 plus hour decant, it still has brawn. With the Ribcap, more than the dark core showed up. Some blue fruits, ripe strawberries and raspberries came out to play.

This still has not hit its precipice.

This is classic Bordeaux & Latour in a grand vintage.

The palate has a dark core of black currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum skin, plum with strawberries & raspberries & a touch of blueberries as it sets. Dry tobacco & leather, plenty of graphite, moist grey, volcanic clay, dark rich soils with limestone & pebbles, dark spices w/ some palate heat, hints of caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & faint vanillin, dry twig, mid berry cola, dry herbs, dry & withering, dark & red florals framed in withering violets, round acidity with still big tension/struture, balance is almost there as is the finish that goes on and on settling on dry earthiness & spice. Better in 5 yrs and drink well for 15 yrs. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2023 vintage. Super youthful but the best Clay Court I’ve had. Light-medium body with good length of finish and ample spice résumé. 05.21.25. — 5 months ago

Joe Christenson

8.9

Bright red cherries, baking spices, plum, black pepper, and hints of vanilla cola. This vintage drinks brighter and more effervescent than others. Some blackberry and earthy notes provide depth. — 6 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Quick double decant. After 15 minutes, it’s already cookin’. Nose shows cassis, clay, a little underbrush, a slight menthol note, a little violet. Lots going on. Rich and a little macho in the mouth, like many ‘18s. There’s a fair whack of soft tannin, but it’s already drinking well. Intense and full. Not elegant, but gives you more than your money’s worth of flavor. Certainly will be better in 5 years or so. — 10 months ago