romo

9.3

Relieving-ly sound. Sweet nose and subtle Piedmont rays at odds with the young tannic finish. — 10 days ago

Andrew Formi

9.0

Wow not you normal Pinot… heavy thick balanced — 7 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

It is very pure—red raspberry, red cherry, and licorice, amped up with damp soil on the nose. The palate brings more licorice/anise/tarragon vibes, with a little lilac winking on the finish. The acid is vibrant, the tannins are dusky, and the alcohol is respectful. — 9 months ago

Jenks

9.0

Rolle and Ugni sound like grapes that would rob you. — 2 years 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. — 13 days ago

Byron Hewett

9.1

Cherry liqueur, mineral spine. Vibrant acidity. You can smell the stem inclusion here. Quite nice. The cork smelled of TCA, but the wine was sound. Whew! Got lucky! — 2 years ago

web bond

9.0

Structurally sound, fruit and elegance underneath, but brett marred purity. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about three hours prior to service for color check and make sure the wine was sound since I was taking to a tasting. It was subsequently decanted about an hour prior to service. The 1998 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some slight signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing still, with notes of tart and ripe red fruits: Bing cherries, ripe raspberries, underbrush, new leather, spices, minerals, dry rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Everyone was stunned how young this came across. The fruit is still so fresh and the structure remains impressive. An evergreen wine and a perfect example why Priorat is so special. Drink now with some air and through 2038. — 5 months ago

romo

9.3

Giving lots of love, this Fleurie is. Still very sound. — a year ago

Adam Kincaid

9.2

Remarkable complexity and uniqueness mark this 2018. One thing I love about Sauvignon is it’s ability to adapt to where it is - and terroir comes flying out of this glass. Let’s start with the aromas because… omg I’m overwhelmed with an intimate old sweaty gym bag! Some petrol comes after, but it’s more subtle. Powerfully tight, like it’s poised to spring out of the glass. Tart grapefruit dominates with touches of tomato vine and other herbaceous notes. Long, strong, finish. It doesn’t sound appealing but it is. — 2 years ago

with Jillian