Whale Tongue
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2006
I guess I’m drinking this too soon! Need to better manage the cellar… tremendous fruit on the nose as I decanted that became more vegetal with time. Bright and leathery on the tongue, rich and luscious in the mouth. Strong tannins — easy to see how others are enjoying it at twice the age. — a year ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
Still youthful with dense , purple to the eye and earthy graphite to nose with blackberry on the tongue. Great richness and long finish. — 4 years ago
Stevens
Stevens Black Tongue Syrah 2014
St. Francis Winery
Sonoma County "Old Vines" Zinfandel 2019
One of my all-time favorites. Explosive on the tongue, fruit forward. A lingering aftertaste — 10 months ago
Argot Wines
Bastard Tongue Pinot Noir 2020
Wow, should've sat on this for like 10 more years, Did not know to do that.. But full nose, hangs on the palate with acid that tingles the sinuses. Flavor? Dark thick fruits ..! — 10 months ago
Dom Pérignon
Brut Champagne Blend 2010
Excellent. Crisp savory and rolls across the tongue. Layers here and it is a great compliment to the special evening. — 3 years ago
Brancott Estate
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Delicate crisp feel in the mouth with grapefruit notes. Lingers on the tongue but not too strong in the throat. Fruity notes, paired perfectly with fishy dishes. Would recommend to a friend. — 5 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