ESF

8.9

i've had this off & on for the past 25 years and it reliably offers copious amounts of fruit along with cocoa, vanilla & other decadent flavors & aromas. This was no different just not as polished or balanced as I recall. Wonder if they've increased production - this is their entry level offering — 13 days ago

romo

9.1

Perfect w paella every time. — 2 months ago

Anthony Pro

9.0

Gold in colour. Like… really really gold. A lot going on here. Stone fruit. Some oak. Buttery as well. Muito bom! — 3 months ago

Diederick Swagemakers

9.3

Still very fresh — 12 days ago

Bob Tomlinson

9.0

Spicy red. Nice tannins. Glad encounter. — 18 days ago

Victor Charcan

9.0

Always fine. The blood, iron like hint of Mencía, very mineral, fine red fruit and great acid — a month ago

James Scurlock

9.1

Very delicious wine. A bit peppery — 16 days ago

Tommy Harrison

8.9

Buy. Crisp with pear or apple finish. Not salty. — a month ago

Evelina Liljeberg

10

Mycket gott! Drack på La Ruelle. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

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. — 4 months ago