The Other Guys

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

One of the bolder Lafite’s. More body, more alcohol and more tannins than any other vintage I’ve tasted. Great to hold for a couple of decades. — 23 days ago

Tom, Peter and 12 others liked this

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Rosé Blend 2024

A traditional unlike any other…might not be the Masters, but the annual tasting of a portrait of Provençe brings joy to every summer! — 3 months ago

Paul, Dave and 9 others liked this

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.
— 5 months ago

Vanessa, Rick and 17 others liked this

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2010

Tasting with a big fan of Rayas. Better than the 2010 and both bottles were so different than other CDP. This one more Burgundy, the 2010 closer to Bordeaux. Both very elegant. — a day ago

JiaMin Dierberg
with JiaMin
Rob and Joe liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Not sure I’ve had any other 2006 Bordeaux but decided to pull this to give it a go at nearly 20 years of age. Nice wine but perhaps not one that justifies the price point. At first quite tight, but after a 5 hour decant this really comes into its own. Lots of leather and dark blue and black fruit. Oak is really only apparent in structure now. Great acid. 13% which is nicely balanced. — 3 months ago

Severn, Andrew and 15 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Oh yeah! Our favorite S-J producer ❤️
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Severn G That’s a big statement!

The Other Guys

Leese-Fitch California Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Easy drinking. Not to acidic. $16 at the liquor store — 9 months ago

Mouton Noir Wines

O.P.P. Other People's Pinot Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023

nice pinot, acids carry, color is strawberry red, screw cap, well worth a try, glad I did.! you down with opp? yeah you know me! — 2 months ago

Tom, Dave and 5 others liked this
Dave

Dave

You're dating yourself 😆
Jody Scharf

Jody Scharf Premium Badge

ha 67. yeah that's what I do now...lol

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2019

So freaking good. Explosion of dried flowers, plum, freeze dried strawberry, sage, other herbs, some stone. Outstanding! — 5 months ago

Eric, Scott@Mister and 10 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

My first impressions of the 2020 Pégau “Cuvée Reservée”. I brought this bottle to Tasting Group and presented it double-blind to the crew, for science! The wine pours a deep ruby with a translucent core. Moderate staining of the tears; high viscosity. On the nose: the wine is moderate intensity; developing. Ripe cherry and bramble fruits with some strawberry, anise, exotic spices, garrigue, and lavender. On the palate, the wine is dry, medium+ tannin and medium+ acid and medium+ alcohol. The tannins are super grippy. The finish is long, herby and there is a streak of black pepper. Whoa…this is a gorgeously expressive wine! Some felt it was 1er cru Burg. Other thought something form Italy: Brunello or CCR. Only one, the only Advanced Somm in the group, called CdP, but he called 2016. Having had many 2016’s recently, I can see where he was coming from. But make no mistake, this will age well despite it’s current approachability. Drink now to enjoy its youth before it potentially (likely) shuts down. Otherwise, this will drink well for 10-15+ years. — 2 years ago

Alan, Bob and 13 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

The 2019 is phenomenal and I hear the 2020 is even better.