Cain Vineyard & Winery
Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA
I used to drink this producer in the late 90’s & early 2000’s. I’ve been revisiting older vintages based on recent price points. I think they sold a bunch of their cellar for revenue. It is out of need after the Glass Fires. They were somewhat consumed by it. The winery & part of their vineyards. Unfortunate!!!
Decanted an hour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours.
I was further inspired to acquire the 2006 by @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego who posted more than respectful thoughts of the 2006 not long ago. So, I acquired some winery stored bottles at $39. A more than fair price point. The cork had a millimeter or less along its side. The bottle neck showed trapped tannins. Extremely solid.
The nose is inviting. Slightly smoky & nicely ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries and pomegranate. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola/licorice-red vines, soft dry tobacco, used leather, very soft graphite, graceful herbaceous notes, whiff with black & white pepper, dark, rich soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms.
The entry is elegant, ripe, slightly rich with nothing bitty. Medium, softened, mushy tannins. It shows nearly perfect elegance at or just and I mean just the other side of its peak. Ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries, raspberries and pomegranate hues. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola, soft dry, used tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, herbaceous notes, stem inclusion, some black & white pepper, dark spice box with mid intensity palate heat, layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & understated vanillin, dark chocolate, caramel, steeped teas, moist to dry volcanic clays, rich, dark, almost sweet soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms, very nice acidity, evolved, well-knitted, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and long sets on spice and beautiful earthiness. This will drink nicely for another 5+ yrs.
A good revisit and perhaps the most elegant Cain Five I’ve had.
Photos of; the Cain Five vineyards, Chris Howell-Winemaker, pressed grapes and the somewhat unglamorous cleaning out of stainless steel tanks after initial fermentation.
I used to drink this producer in the late 90’s & early 2000’s. I’ve been revisiting older vintages based on recent price points. I think they sold a bunch of their cellar for revenue. It is out of need after the Glass Fires. They were somewhat consumed by it. The winery & part of their vineyards. Unfortunate!!!
Decanted an hour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours.
I was further inspired to acquire the 2006 by @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego who posted more than respectful thoughts of the 2006 not long ago. So, I acquired some winery stored bottles at $39. A more than fair price point. The cork had a millimeter or less along its side. The bottle neck showed trapped tannins. Extremely solid.
The nose is inviting. Slightly smoky & nicely ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries and pomegranate. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola/licorice-red vines, soft dry tobacco, used leather, very soft graphite, graceful herbaceous notes, whiff with black & white pepper, dark, rich soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms.
The entry is elegant, ripe, slightly rich with nothing bitty. Medium, softened, mushy tannins. It shows nearly perfect elegance at or just and I mean just the other side of its peak. Ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries, raspberries and pomegranate hues. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola, soft dry, used tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, herbaceous notes, stem inclusion, some black & white pepper, dark spice box with mid intensity palate heat, layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & understated vanillin, dark chocolate, caramel, steeped teas, moist to dry volcanic clays, rich, dark, almost sweet soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms, very nice acidity, evolved, well-knitted, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and long sets on spice and beautiful earthiness. This will drink nicely for another 5+ yrs.
A good revisit and perhaps the most elegant Cain Five I’ve had.
Photos of; the Cain Five vineyards, Chris Howell-Winemaker, pressed grapes and the somewhat unglamorous cleaning out of stainless steel tanks after initial fermentation.
Still a infant... after 2+ hour decant, Delicious!
Still a infant... after 2+ hour decant, Delicious!
Feb 15th, 2018
It's been years since I've had this. 06 is singing right now- Dried plum, tobacco, tarragon, a touch of dried mushroom/stinky earth/old leather boot. This is such a distinctive Napa Red, and highly enjoyable.
It's been years since I've had this. 06 is singing right now- Dried plum, tobacco, tarragon, a touch of dried mushroom/stinky earth/old leather boot. This is such a distinctive Napa Red, and highly enjoyable.
3 people found it helpfulAug 20th, 2017
Deep to medium garnet red with a touch of bricking on the edges. Layered nose with a touch of earthy notes, spices, a little dark cocoa, smoky and darker berries on the finish. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. A little savory on the attack with mixed black cherries. A bit of bark and a dry long finish. As it opened up there was a lot more red berries. Drink till 2022.
Deep to medium garnet red with a touch of bricking on the edges. Layered nose with a touch of earthy notes, spices, a little dark cocoa, smoky and darker berries on the finish. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. A little savory on the attack with mixed black cherries. A bit of bark and a dry long finish. As it opened up there was a lot more red berries. Drink till 2022.
Mar 1st, 2017Restrained, nuanced, funky, beautifully balanced leaning towards elegance vs exuberance!
Restrained, nuanced, funky, beautifully balanced leaning towards elegance vs exuberance!
May 12th, 2016Another beautiful wine from Sprung Mountain AVA.
Another beautiful wine from Sprung Mountain AVA.
Sep 9th, 2015
Caine 5, 2006. Color - dark crimson red and murky. Red plum pine and menthol on the nose floating with sweet age perfume and florals. An initial sweet plum blackberry flavor —soft and elegant. Tobacco cigar peppery long finish lingers on the taste buds bringing about the spices and milk chocolate on finish adding a satisfying and wonderful overall experience with the wine.
Caine 5, 2006. Color - dark crimson red and murky. Red plum pine and menthol on the nose floating with sweet age perfume and florals. An initial sweet plum blackberry flavor —soft and elegant. Tobacco cigar peppery long finish lingers on the taste buds bringing about the spices and milk chocolate on finish adding a satisfying and wonderful overall experience with the wine.
Jul 18th, 2020
1 hour decant (little sediment). A murky dark crimson color with some slight bricking. On the nose: moderate notes of sweet aged cab perfume, red plum, little menthol, pine tree, floral. Taste: Elegant with soft tannins, plum, spice, cedar, earth..a milk chocolate long dry finish...Yum! drinking well and should for another 6 years
1 hour decant (little sediment). A murky dark crimson color with some slight bricking. On the nose: moderate notes of sweet aged cab perfume, red plum, little menthol, pine tree, floral. Taste: Elegant with soft tannins, plum, spice, cedar, earth..a milk chocolate long dry finish...Yum! drinking well and should for another 6 years
Jul 17th, 2020