Napa Vintage

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Somm David T
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.
— 3 days ago

Vanessa, Rick and 15 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Decant for sediment (lots of chunky/fine sediment) and pour. A stunning medium ruby red color with little signs of aging. On the nose: big inviting notes of dark fruit/currants, worn leather, herbaceous, smoked meat, funky earth, menthol. Taste: silky, evolved, expressive structure with brambly plum, currants, old leather, dark chocolate, graphite, and a black raspberry-iron-dried herb long finish. YUM! It's what's you want in an aged Napa cab, and glad to have just acquired 3 more bottles. — 15 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Deborah and 18 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Another tip: I keep a bottle in the fridge to pour decanted sediment dregs into, and use it (except for the muddy bottom part) for cooking. That way my coq au vin or daube is braising in really good stuff from my cellar!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

x Tom C, good notes. Thanks for the tips. Cheers!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

x x I find the sediments can be bitter and usually try to remove them so they don't impact the wine. Hate them all over the side of the glass. Cheers!

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Somm David T
9.3

93-95+ with proper aging.

This paired well with the flank steak w/ mash potato purée prepared by the Wynn Hotel.

A very solid & consistent producer of Napa Cabernet. I do enjoy the Napa 21 reds. High quality vintage.

WS Grand Tour Las Vegas 2025.
— a month ago

Juan, Paul and 13 others liked this
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

@Somm David T , yes was very impressed by this when I had it at the Vinous event in Miami …. And from the 2 tastings of this vintage that I have done , I do agree with you that 2021 is a really interesting vintage . Well structured but also incredibly well balanced …. Just needs time

Dunn Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Always prefer the Howell Mountain, but the Dunn Napa Valley I consider to be a great value, especially at the price these were a few years ago. Great fruit - black and red, minerality, graphite, pencil shavings, black licorice, great structure, nice finish. Solid all around and very nice for a ‘17. — 29 minutes ago

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2002

Lalo jaime diego orlando adolfo MAGNUM — 8 days ago

Jan, Bob and 8 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003

So rounded and glossy. High toned with black cherry and some mocha and good acidity. Excellent stuff. — 21 days ago

Rick K
with Rick
Jay, Shay and 10 others liked this

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Paul J
9.2

The conundrum with Continuum continues :)

PnP’d, thought that might be the trick. Was great to start but after 20-30 minutes devolved into a strange, astringent Napa or CDP. Still can’t figure this wine out.
— a day ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Tom, Jan and 1 other liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Somm David T
9.4

Back to back nights of 97’s. This bottle was around $20 on release. Drinking well beyond that tonight. I really enjoy these Napa Phelps with this kind of age. — 2 days ago

Sage, Andrew and 11 others liked this
ESF

ESF

👍

Orin Swift

Papillon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Gifts are always enjoyed. Thanks @Aleks. — a month ago

Dave, Ted and 5 others liked this
Dave Clinton

Dave Clinton

Pow! 🔥

Heitz Cellar

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1978

Dried cherries on the nose. Very port like with the age. Drinking exceptionally well! — 2 days ago

Dave liked this