Ming L

9.0

Lively red apple, ripe pear, grapefruit and citrus zest, and subtle red berry notes, with a hint of toasted brioche. The fine mousses are quite vigorous in the bottle, leading to a refreshing, clean finish. Easy to enjoy. — 25 days 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. — 19 hours ago

Kevin Arndt

Specialist Grand Vin Colorado

9.2

I am biased to the wines from this region and love me some garnacha from Madrid. — 6 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

lovely intense Riesling fruit. A hint of oxidation. Slate, apple, sweet floral notes. Rounded with good weight in the mid palate. Defined and precise. Excellent. — a month ago

with Matt and Paul

Paul J

9.8

This was crazy!!! 1hr+ decant. Dessert in a glass. Dark red/purple color. Candied blue and black fruit dominate. Hints of cedar and a touch of coffee on the end. Wow!! — 2 months ago

with Brooke

Ericsson

9.4

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. In the Tondonia offering one can really appreciate the time and patience dedicated to crafting this wine. The wine evolves to a rustic yet graceful profile with strong notes of dark berries with slight oak and dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is bliss, medium bodied, fully integrated, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to medium toast specifications), stored underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring. — 3 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.4

It’s been 16 months since last bottle of this Gargiulo G Major 7. One of my early Napa favorites. Fruit is ripe and bountiful, dark red and black. Very nicely balanced, acidity is very much holding its own, tannins are soft yet still structured. Gravely, vanilla, licorice, pencil shavings. Nice finish. Opens up nicely in the glass. — a month ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Silky silky smooth...so well made. Still young but very enjoyable. Has a long future ahead — 2 months ago

ida

9.0

She was giving peppercorn & paired really well with the salmon/veggies/orzo dinner kdubz made!! — 4 months ago

Nicole Ubinger

9.5

From everyday wines, smooth and minerally. Cheaper than the white Bordeaux that I like — 4 months ago