First Cape
Dom Pérignon
Brut Champagne Blend 2008
Medium lemon colour . Persistent and fine perlage. This is quite restrained at first with lemon oil , toasty baked pastry and oyster shell hints . On the palate this is really quite intense , honied lemon , ginger, toasty yellow fruits , toasted nuts and quite mineral, oyster shell hints. Long and complex on the finish , fresh acidity , intense and complete . Needs a little more time, will show even better in 5 -10 years or so and over the next 10-15 years . — 2 months ago
Meerlust
Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016
Another solid vintage of this South African Bordeaux-Style red. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (49%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Aromas of black fruit, vanilla and dried rose petals. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, mulberry, black cherry, dried herbs and minerals. Lengthy finish and full bodied. Soft tannins and well structured. Nicely aged and quite elegant. — 3 months ago
First Drop Wines
Mother's Milk Shiraz
Deep burgundy, moderate legs, medium body. (First half of the bottle) Subtle Raspberry with hints of pipe tobacco on the nose. Smooth, easy sipping, mild red fruit with smooth tannins on the finish. I want to think there is a touch of spiciness on the finish but I suspect it is the mouth feel of the tannins and not a spicy flavor. (Grilled top sirloin, cheese stuffed portobello mushrooms, broccoli with queso sauce - another lovely dinner on the lanai!) Great label! — a month ago
Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
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 month ago
Cederberg
Bukettraube 2023
I don’t know of any other producers who make a single-varietal wine from this obscure grape, but this wine is still fairly easy to find, an observation that is not difficult to understand. This wine is just plain delicious. Year after year it is in my top two or three white wines. Very aromatic, it boasts an abundance of fruity and floral aromas. On the palate, flavors of lychee and dried apricot reveal a subtle sweetness that is hard to resist. 100% Bukettraube. 4/13/25. — 3 months ago
De Toren
Fusion V Stellenbosch Red Blend 2015
Husky and tannic, dark fruit and tobacco box. Good but probably need even more age to round off. — 2 months ago
Château Latour
Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983
Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.
The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.
We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩
It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.
It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — a month ago
Donald Williams
Bit by bit, the case is dwindling. Every bottle has been really excellent. — 3 days ago