Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

1989 vintage. 375 ml format. Good fill but cork had some red streaks all the way up to the top and it was difficult to remove the top part of the "fused" foil. Decanted and tasted over the course of three hours. Expected sed. Light-medium body. Nose on point with the vintage/age and didn't seem abused/mistreated. Flavor profile a mishmash of chunky and resolved. Ultimately, came in slightly short on the balance ledger side. Lean, judicious fruit okay but not totally reconciled with the final exam. If enjoyed from a 750 ml format, thinking it might climb up to a 9.1 currently. Maybe. A maggie format (or larger) might reveal a revelation. 12.9.23. — 5 months ago

Paco Suro

9.4

Outstanding. Great structure and balance. — 9 months ago

Jess

8.9

Deep ruby color.
Aromas of cassis, vegetal, vanilla, licorice.
Dry. Flavors of cassis, soft vanilla, licorice, cinnamon. Rich, velvety tannins. Good acidity.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 9 months ago

DE

9.4

Very good balance and flavor has aged exceptional and paired well with Fish a d steak.. — 10 months ago

Jon Bergqvist

9.7

Top shoulder. Got the cork out in one piece. Absolutely perfect bottle with a lot left to give. Thick balsamic fruit, soft tannins, integrated oak, fresh acidity, everything in absolute balance. In a way almost perfect on the verge of lacking a bit of personality, but only almost. This has 10 years of life ahead of it but No reason to wait. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I corvined this last weekend and put it back in storage for tonight. I had a very different experience & thoughts on this wine last weekend un-decanted. This is wine comes from a period when I loved Caymus. After 2011 when they started picking later and at higher brix’s, they lost me but, got higher Parker scores and rave words from people that like sweeter Cabernet that drinks young.

Last weekend without a decant, very dominate bright cherries and vanilla.

Tonight, the nose reveals, dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominate, baked strawberries, black licorice, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, underbrush, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets.

The body is full, sexy, gorgeous and voluptuous. The structure, tension, length and balance are at the start of its high point with another 7-10 years of good drinking ahead. Dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominating, baked strawberries, black licorice to deep anise, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, dark spices with just a touch of palate heat, underbrush, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets. The acidity is like a needed waterfall shower. The long finish is, deep, dark, well balanced, elegant, ruby, ripe, polished and persists endlessly.

It’s been awhile and I’ve missed it. This is a very good example of why I used to adore Caymus. — 5 years ago

Phil Castellano

9.2

Pretty awesome Bordeaux blend from Justin. Nice balance of flavor and the Cab Franc comes though clearly even though it is only 3%. — 8 years ago

Alex Xu

10

Medium amber, apricot, orange zest, vanilla. Incredible balance. 15+ minute finish. Interplanetary quality — 9 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.1

Blanc. Lovely balance. Good acid and structure. — 9 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy birthday honey. 🎂🥳🎉❤️

The Chateau that got my wife Sofia to finally love Bordeaux (1995). Expected more from the this property in 2000. But 2000 is still either the stubborn I think it is or just not as good as critically advertised. 20 years in bottle and think it needs at least 10 more years. Also, a touch of v/a-bandaid. It has nice balance with soft fruit & earth. It just lacks the wow factor for the property & vintage. Maybe, it is in a dumb faze. But, I’ve been waiting 20 years for 2000 to come out of its shell. I love this property but it is not up to its reputation…even for lesser vintages. It might be outstanding in another 20. This bottle is a little flawed and perhaps maybe (?) a better 2nd day wine. Tonight it is leaner than I would expect. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Sweet lead pencil, charcoal, volcanic ash, spice, nutmeg, some cinnamon, vanillin, dry tobacco, sandalwood, limestone, dry crushed rocks , dry pebbles, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, dry herbs, hints of Worcestershire sauce, moist clay, withering mid floral bouquet with excellent acidity and a wire to wire finish that is balanced, nicely tensioned and elegance that lasts minutes. One of the few slightly flawed bottles in 25 plus yrs of collecting. I can count them on just over one-hand.

Picture of Sofia picking the 2012 Mouton Rothschild Merlot. — 6 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

This bottle of 1983 Pichon-Lalande (I really can't be bothered to type out its full name) is the best of many encountered over the years. This offers gorgeous melted red fruit, woodbines, smoke and cigar humidor scents that could only come from Pauillac. Hints of black truffle and morels follow after about an hour in the glass. The palate displays lovely balance, poised and fresh, perhaps more vigor than I ever expected, with just a hint of dried blood on the finish. Impeccable provenance played a role here, but it is still a 1983 that should not be underestimated. Tasted blind at Pichon-Lalande. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 9 months ago

romo

9.2

Finally some balance in a not-so great vintage. — 10 months ago

Jack Gyben

9.7

Parker said drink this through 2016. This was gorgeous Bordeaux, drinking perfectly with amazing fruit & balance! — 4 years ago

Keith Crump

9.4

This is a wonderful wine there is a sense of reserve and depth the fruit and acidity and power all balance wonderfully — 5 years ago

Mike Davila

9.6

This wine amazed me, I’ve had it before and it’s never shown this well, maybe just hitting it’s stride? Beautiful perfumed floral nose ( never thought I would say that about a Dunn), exquisite balance, the fruit is slightly sweet, the tannins are fully integrated and refined, with just the right amount of acid in the finish. I would never guess mountain fruit or let alone Dunn if tasted blind. Can’t wait to try it again in a couple of years. — 6 years ago

Richard Adams

9.7

Outstanding purity and balance. Prime window now. — 7 years ago

Thomas Hughes

9.5

I was disappointed with my last Caymus Special Selection vintage, but this beauty brought me back to a bottle that won Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year ... Twice!! Incredible fruit and balance. This can be cellared and enjoyed for years to come. Cheers!! — 9 years ago

Coco&Lucie

9.6

One of my favorite of the appellation. Spice is perfectly balance with red fruit. It´s earthy, complex and refined. A piece of beef tenderloin on barbecue, fleur de sel and a glass of Beaucastel, what else?! — 9 years ago

Jim Bandy

9.5

This is what Napa Cabs should be! Great balance, great fruit, good acidity and doesn't taste like a toothpick. Love this wine! — 10 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2018 vintage. Great, taut balance between the new school and old school Napa cab worlds. Plenty of delicacies here and there amongst the hurrahs, huzzahs and whispers. Not to be missed. Medium-bodied with both nuance and thrust. 9.17.23. — 8 months ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

Always a solid Sonoma cab. Some anise and dark fruit, dark chocolate and anise. Slight bit of dill and vanilla. Drinks young, this could go for a bit longer. Good strong tannins but smooth enough to balance my prime rib. — 8 months ago

with Jillian

Vino Joe

9.5

Opened smoothly and the cork was soaked deep red. Immediate hit of perfume and an inviting aroma at the bottle and on first pour. The wine is rich and velvety. Nice balance between inviting but limited mature fruit and a finish with earthy elements and the alcohol was at the right level. Lots of depth to this. It has a weighty mouthfeel. It’s a lingering joy. — 9 months ago

William Travis

9.4

Slight brackishness, firm tannin on initial finish, pencil lead, burnt cherry, nice balance on finish, many more years remaining. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It is really not fair to have their 06 after their 09. It’s good but, all you can think about is the 09.

The nose reveals, slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice and withering red & dark florals.

The body is lean, not quite full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are just ok to good and reveal the shortcomings of the 06 vintage. slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, some v/a or bandaid, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice with some heat across the palate and withering red & dark florals. The finish is nice and elegant but, lack the fullness and beauty of most really good vintage Palmer’s. It finishes with nice persistent dark spice on the long set. Just give me another taste of the 09. 😜

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 5 years ago

Vincy

9.1

Had this lovely Barton together with poyferre, same year. This one is more softer and smoother. Mid bodied with good balance, raspberry, dry stone and mint. It is good enough but not better than the perfect one -year of 2010 I had four months ago. — 6 years ago

John Hubbell

9.4

Love the he nose. Great balance with leather, spice and cigar box. This sill has some life — 7 years ago

with Jim, Allison and 1 other

John Bornholdt

9.3

Amazing balance a little young still with a tight finish. — 8 years ago

with Ray, Mallory and 3 others

.

9.1

Great nose on this wine, and it has excellent balance. Terrific. — 9 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.2

Lovely tobacco laced aromas. Nice depth and balance. Lively moderately long finish. — 9 years ago

Kellen Freeman

9.5

Super drinkable - aawesome fruit nose, dry finish. A hint of heat but fantastic balance. — 10 years ago