Engine Room
Realm Cellars
The Bard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021
This is 93-94 this young. I was a little surprised they slotted this last in the tasting. I would have led with it. However, it didn’t end up being our last wine. Leslie was kind enough to open another.
Both plums, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of dark berry cola, nice, soft baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, grainy limestone, wet clay, dark, rich, forest floor, some dry herbs, excellent fresh & withering florals that are a combination of; dark, red, some blue and violets, nice round acidity, a smooth, elegant finish that softly structured, balanced and wire to wire smooth and elegant with a full minute finish.
Photos of; a pano of their stunning view of Pritchard Hill, Their dual sided wall of fame of bottles the staff at the estate have enjoyed and their tasting room table. They did an excellent job curating it. — a year ago
Quilt Wines
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Quilt pays tribute to Napa’s wines, sourced from a patchwork of prime Napa Valley vineyards. Met Joseph Wagner a few times & tasted his wines. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, sweet spice and cedar. On palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with vanilla, oak and leather notes, well balanced. Fine soft tannins, nice mouthfeel, on long finish ending with cacao, oak and tobacco character. Consistent quality, has room to age. Nice! — 2 months ago
Clos des Papes
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2003
En mag. Epic bottle. Took this home and night-capped it w three friends. Room to grow still, but hedonistic now. — 3 months ago
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004
Beautiful: dark, quiet, powerful. Nothing extraneous. Lead with minerals, graphite, tobacco on top of a layer of dry black and red fruit. Tannins were mild. Fit the room (The Grill, NYC) and the meal (Thanksgiving) perfectly. — 6 months ago
Engine Fuel The Dream
01 Pure Organic Gin
Had this in Rome at VALENTYNE piano bar May 2023 — 2 years ago
Ratti
Marcenasco Barolo Nebbiolo 2019
Located halfway up the hill dominating principal valley of Barolo, lined by vineyards, lies a precious 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Medium Ruby with complex aromas of berry fruits, oak and fresh floral scents. On the palate dried tart cherry, tobacco, licorice, espresso and fresh herbs give this full-body wine grace and elegance. Soft fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit and earthy notes, well balanced, has have room to run over the next decade. Very Nice! — 3 months ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estéphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2020
Château covers 170 acres separated from Château Lafite, along the southern edge, by a stream. Blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits and earthy spice notes. On the palate flavors of blueberry and blackberry with licorice, tobacco and toasty oak notes. Long rich finish on soft juicy tannins, drinking well and still has room to age. Very Nice second label! — 4 months ago
La Jota Vineyard Co.
Howell Mountain Merlot
Blend of mostly Merlot with a little Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits, sweet spice and espresso notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry with toasty oak, cacao and espresso. Fine soft tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and sweet pepper spice. Still has room to age, but nice now! — a year ago
Ochota Barrels
The Green Room Grenache 2022
So surprisingly smoky and sweet, but not in the way you’d expect when someone says it. This wine is delicate, light bodied, summery, but with fresh plum in your hand and a little smoke on the air. It’s got some green garden going on. It’s a surprise of something you love satisfying you on a hot day. — 2 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
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. — a day ago