Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
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.
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.
1997 vintage. Before things got ridiculous. Drinking beautifully now. Light medium body with a 30+ second leather/dust/plum/dark cherry finish.
1997 vintage. Before things got ridiculous. Drinking beautifully now. Light medium body with a 30+ second leather/dust/plum/dark cherry finish.
Mar 13th, 2022
Apres avoir lu quelques commentaires faisant état d’oxydation sur le 97. J’ai donc décidé d’ouvrir la mienne. Très beau nez à l’ouverture, cela m’encourage mais rien n’est gagné! En bouche, c’est très bien, aucun signe d’oxydation ou de vieillissement prématuré. Tabac, eucalyptus, cèdre, sous-bois, champignons, vraiment sur le tertiaire. Aucune amertume, aucune sucrosité dérangeante des jeunes millésimes, les tannins sont fondus. J’ai bien aimé. La finale était un peu courte par contre. Si il vous en reste je les ouvrirais sans plus attendre.
Apres avoir lu quelques commentaires faisant état d’oxydation sur le 97. J’ai donc décidé d’ouvrir la mienne. Très beau nez à l’ouverture, cela m’encourage mais rien n’est gagné! En bouche, c’est très bien, aucun signe d’oxydation ou de vieillissement prématuré. Tabac, eucalyptus, cèdre, sous-bois, champignons, vraiment sur le tertiaire. Aucune amertume, aucune sucrosité dérangeante des jeunes millésimes, les tannins sont fondus. J’ai bien aimé. La finale était un peu courte par contre. Si il vous en reste je les ouvrirais sans plus attendre.
Oct 10th, 2020
Opening up, gonna wait, rate again later
Opening up, gonna wait, rate again later
Dec 29th, 2019
Red Currant and Goji berry on the nose. Spicy, smoky and oaky on the palate.
Red Currant and Goji berry on the nose. Spicy, smoky and oaky on the palate.
Aug 16th, 2017Nice when opened. 20 minutes later even better! Brasstown Ribeye on the way
Nice when opened. 20 minutes later even better! Brasstown Ribeye on the way
Jun 24th, 2017
So smooth after decanting. Perfect wine to celebrate a special occasion. 1997 vintage on Christmas 2017.
So smooth after decanting. Perfect wine to celebrate a special occasion. 1997 vintage on Christmas 2017.
Apr 13th, 2017Good vintage, but a little oxidized. Past its prime.
Good vintage, but a little oxidized. Past its prime.
Jul 11th, 2016